Transitions: What Now?

I am wondering if there are other moms out there that are wondering if there are other
moms out there.( I am most certain there are. If only I could connect with some and glean
from their wisdom. And the wondering is about where to go from here.) Transitioning from
having 9 children very close in age and home schooling, to having three older girls.

Though I love being home with children and homemaking and in no way would want
to neglect this, I am in a season of my life that allows me some time to pursue and hone
some of my gifts and talents. And not that I have the need to justify, but I am also drawing
my girls in and teaching them many new skills that they can use to bless others or to
build a cottage industry. The time together also works to build wonderful relationships
and we have a lot of fun as well!

                                                I love to work with my hands.

Keeping this simple would suit me, but honestly, I feel somewhat buried in possibilities. My gratefuleness for a wonderful supportive husband (who loves to see me at peace and
developing my talents) runs very deep.

One of the problems I am having is narrowing the field. But then again, I wonder if I really
need to.

Here are some of the things I enjoy doing:

 * Growing herbs and flowers

 * Crafting
            1) Paper
            2) making weathered wood wallhangings
            3) sewing (hand and machine)
            4) creating with felt
            5) embellishing fabric

 * Playing music and singing ( it is interesting that I should think of this last
             because it is first in my heart)
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So. Here are some guideleines I am attempting to apply to help me find the track that
I really want to be on.

1) Asking God for direction : I am convinced that He knows me and my circumstances best. In knowing this I wait on Him for clarity.

2) One foot in front of the other: Keep at something.  And what I mean by this is being faithful
to work at one of these things will keep me inspired and I will eventually come to know what I
am and am not supposed to be doing. I don't want to sit overwhelmed and idle!

3) Be realistic about  what I can accomplish. One of the truths that seems to be coming to me over
and over again is that LESS is MORE!  I used to be so wishy washy about decisions and never
wanted to miss anything. I was distracted and captivated by what everyone else was doing. I
do NOT want to be governed by the crazies. So learning to get focused and stay focused has been essential for me.

Some of my flowers

Herbs and flowers

Homemade herbal vinegars

A pillow cover that I'm working on

Paper flowers

Set up for a craft fair

Some of our wood crafts

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I don't know if anyone is reading this. But if you are and you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

A million thanks~

Loving the Simple Things

I love simplicity. The thought of it.. the look of it... can you smell simplicity?

I suppose so. It brings to mind visions of those pretty little English Roses.

Ours bush is covered with these lovely little flowers

and the fragrance just floats through the air.

When we open our bedroom door that accesses the herb garden,

the sweet smell slowly invites itself in on soft breezes.

It makes me stop and close my eyes and take in the freshness.

That beauty is something that I can remember when the days are cold and windy

or when life seems to be dragging me along and I want to slow down.

I am not at home, but I can picture the bush and smell

the flowers even now.

What a special gift.

Thank you, God.

Simplicity

 ~Simplicity...

   causes contentment and peace

to grow in the

garden of our hearts.

Joyful Simplicity

~

~

What simple pleasures can you find joy in today?

DIY Stool Covering

Some time ago, while shopping at a thrift store, I found a large, sturdy, looking stool.
I wanted to take it home. (I like stools; They remind me of times past.)
I will say it was well-loved. The cover was a grungy gold, velvety fabric.

It cost me three dollars. What a deal! Don't you think good finds are fun? I washed
the cover and it felt clean but still looked grungy. I didn't know exactly what I wanted
to cover it with and so it sat in our living room in it's place by the woodstove. It was
enjoyed by the family and even the cats found it to be pleasant spot to sit.

I am also VERY prone to procrastinating when I feel intimidated by a project. And as
I had never done anything like that before, it sat for a long time. It was enjoyed by the
family and even the cats found it to be a pleasant place to rest.

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A couple of years ago, I had been wanting a large piece of upholstery fabric to make
a curtain.I found a nice piece for 4 dollars. I decided not to use it for the intended project
but I held onto it because it was a very pretty and of a good quality.

The fabric matched our furniture and so I decided to tackle the project this last winter.
Below are a few pictures of the finished cover. I'm sorry the photo quality isn't very good
but you'll get the idea.

The first thing I had to do was take the old cover apart. Carefully cutting

the seams with the seam ripper, the old cover was taken apart and layed out on the

piece of fabric and used as the pattern for the new one.

The old pattern was very rough and obviously a fellow

DIYourselfer had sewn the first cover. The pieces were cut very crookedly

and sewn together without a straight or consistent seam allowance.

But I say GOOD FOR THEM and give the

 person credit for just jumping in and doing it without

a care of it being perfect!  Something which I am learning to do.

I am sometimes so intimidated by a possible flaw, that I fail to try at all!

 This is such an unhealthy philosophy.

In this picture, you can see how the tucks were taken in to match up with

the pattern. I had initially measured the distance between the tucks, but that didn't work

out because of the fabric's pattern. It was very easy to make

the adjustment.

When cutting the piece for the top, I realized at the last moment that I

needed to center the pattern so as to have a nice symmetrical finish. The

pattern on the piece made it very easy to lay it all out and cut.

I was very pleased with the completed project. I enjoyed the entire process

and was surprised at how easy it was. I don't consider myself a seamstress but just used

 common sense to figure it out.

If I can do something like this, so can you!