Thankful, I am.

Of course, this week everybody and their brother's cousin is doing a thankfulness post. Well, I'm somebody's brother's cousin, so I guess I'm in.

 As of this minute I am most thankful for this:

This amazing relationship with which I have been so abuntantly blessed! I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to grow up with this man, to share the joys and sorrows of the past 21 years with this man, and to have created these beauties with him:

Are they not absolutely beautiful?! I could not be more thankful for anything than I am to be Momma to each of the most wonderful daughters in the world!

I am also profoundly thankful for this:

While it may not be making all our dreams come true...yet..., God has abundantly blessed us with this business opportunity!

And last, but not least, I am thrilled with this:

I have wanted to go into business for myself for years! I have always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit, but no real outlet for it. Deciding to turn what I love into a money-making venture has proven to be a dream come true! And, with my hubby behind me all the way, I'm off to a GREAT start!!

My friend Natalia is hosting a Thankfulness carnival. Go on over there and read some other thankful posts...go on, you know you want to!

OUCH!

I've read a quite a bit lately about pressing on after failure, about getting back up after a fall, and about the difference between pausing and being paralysed. My own life has seen many moments of both.

Perseverance is a noble quality, highly encouraged and praised throughout the Bible. It is what causes the human race to not only survive, but also to constantly learn and - one would hope - improve. That never say die attitude has certainly caused many a victory in battle, whether it be war, sports, business, or in the spirit.

Today, however, I'm drawn to see another angle. (God is really working this Perspective thing in me!) Even though I have personally seen success and failure from every possible angle, I have never truly taken much time to view other people's successes and/or failures with the same thoughtfulness.

Oh, it is easy to analyze my own shortfalls and stamp them "Opportunities for Personal Growth". I have learned to classify my own trip-ups as "Lessons Learned". However, am I willing to give others that same benefit of the doubt? Do I believe that everyone else will, too, learn from their own mistakes?

More importantly, I am being challenged with this question: What am I doing to help?

Failure hurts! Falling down can be dangerous. I remember seeing this every Sunday afternoon (as memory serves...it was 1978, after all):



While we all LOVE the thrill of victory, that agony of defeat thing is downright painful! Yes, sometimes it is the agony that inspires us to press forward and ultimately achieve the thrill, but the agony must be endured.

When I think of all the agony I have personally endured, I am most grateful for the precious few people who were involved with my recovery. Those who carried me to the sidelines and stayed with me until help arrived. Those who provided First Aid, quickly taking care of my immediate needs. Those who bound up my wounds, set my broken bones, made sure my airway was clear, and kept me warm. Those who monitored my vital signs, sitting up during the dark nights watching over me. Those who were there to welcome me when I came "home". And those who pushed me during the long days and months of rehabilitation.

To those people, I will be forever grateful. For I am now truly ready for the thrill of victory!

"Lord, open my eyes to see a fallen one; to see where I may be of assistance; and to see the victory in every person hiding just beyond the agony. Amen."

Photographic Evidence.

 Yesterday we had this...

 and this...



After nine hours of work, we have this...

and the ability to do this...

(Scarlet enjoying playing in a CLEAN room!)

Just Like Jesus, I Love a Good Parable.

Sometimes things make more sense when I talk them out. Does that happen to you, too? Today I was talking with a good friend, and as I gave her a word picture of how I was feeling, it all became clear to me. If you "get" this, you'll get it; if not, it's okay.

Here is the analogy:

A young man once began to follow in his family's carpentry business. His father was a carpenter, and his grandfather was a carpenter. Several of his uncles and cousins were carpenters as well.

This young man had a wife who also learned his trade. Together they built tables...beautiful, sturdy tables. The tables were hand-crafted of some of the finest wood available, intricately carved, and finished with a smooth, satiny stain. Everyone who saw the tables commented on their beauty and craftsmanship.

There was only one problem: the couple could not seem to sell their tables. Oh, they sold one or two here and there, but never enough to provide for their growing family. It seemed that while many people praised the young carpenter on his skills, few would actually purchase his wares.

The couple struggled and struggled for years trying to make ends meet, working diligently in their craft, and pinching every penny that did come their way. Until one day the young man finally made a painful decision: he would leave his family's business, and try his hand at another trade.

He had often found himself helping out his neighbors, friends, and family with their plumbing. Every time someone had a plumbing need, this young man was able to take care of the problem. And every time he did so, his friends would pay him well. "Why not give it a go?", he thought.

So, he and his wife set out to become plumbers. And do you know what? They were successful! They had more work than they could handle. They even had to hire employees to help them keep up!

They thought for sure that their family would be pleased. After all, they were finally able to take care of themselves and their children, AND they were enjoying their new life! Peace and harmony ruled in their hearts; laughter and joy were once again heard in their home!

Sadly, they did not sense the approval of their family. Instead their excitement was met with sighs and head shakes. "But you're so gifted!", their relatives exclaimed. "You were made to be carpenters!" No one could understand why this talented craftsman and his wife would choose to stop making such beautiful pieces of furniture.

"Oh no", the man explained, "we have not stopped building our tables. We have only stopped selling them."

You see, the couple truly loved designing and fashioning useful pieces. They enjoyed the process of taking something without much form and turning it into a work of art. The time they were able to spend working together was such a joy to them. What they most delighted in was seeing the recipient fall in love with what they had so tenderly created. Knowing that someone, probably an entire family, would benefit from their labor was the greatest reward.

That is why the carpenter and his wife became plumbers: so that they could give away their beautiful tables, free of charge.

Perspective

...is an interesting thing.

I have a piece of furniture in my bedroom that, from one perspective, is not very pretty. In fact, it is actually rather ugly. It is tall and fairly long, and could even be considered an eye-sore. When viewed from this angle, it appears to be cheap, dull, uninteresting, and frankly, useless.

However, by taking a step in another direction, and looking again, one can see the true beauty and usefulness of the object. What is it?

My dresser mirror.

On one hand it's plain and of no value; on the other, it gives a clear reflection of one's own image. From the back it could appear to be a waste of resources and void of any purpose. But from the front, its purpose is obvious: to give an exact representation of whatever is placed before it. I think I have been viewing some things in my life from the wrong angle.

Life has thrown me a curve or two. Events, circumstances, and even people in my life have, at times, seemed less than beneficial. Even after putting some distance on those situations, I have been unable to ascertain the purpose or value. I have watched "life" waste my resources, rob me of my time, my money, even my faith. And from my view at the time, it wasn't pretty!

What if...?

What if, I were to take a step in another direction, and look again? Could I possibly catch a glimpse of the reflection of the One Who was standing on the other side? What if I changed my perspective? Could I gain a vision of the true beauty of the moment? From the other side...

I am now on the other side of these rough seasons, and perhaps it is time to gain a clearer view. On the other hand, maybe...just maybe...it was always the time. Hopefully I have learned to look a little harder for that Reflection IN the moment. I hope I have learned to choose my perspective IN the circumstances, to choose to seek His reflection in my life. He is in me. Am I reflecting His glory or am I staring at the ugly side of a truly beautiful piece of my life?

The choice is mine to make.

The choice is yours to make as well.

To Quote My Sweet Rose, "In-ster-ducing..."

Sew Krafty...TA DA!! 

I feel as though I should star in a Nike ad. I "Just Did It". I started my own business!!!

I'm offering my sewing services for alterations, custom home decor, specialty baby items, commissioned quilts, and clothing. My first gig was to alter and hem three pairs of pants. I whipped those out yesterday afternoon. 

So far, I've already had three responses through Facebook...just since yesterday!! Getting the word out is the first step. The next step will be to set up an email, blog, and Etsy shop. I think I'll hold off on the web site for now. If I can get the word of mouth going locally, and sell some merchandise through Etsy nationally, I think I'll keep myself busy.

Here is what I'll be offering through Etsy initially: Blanket/Burp Cloth/Bib Sets. Priced at $40.

 

This one I made, obviously, for a little girl, but I will be making a teal and brown set, and a pale yellow and green set in the next day or so. I use only 100% cotton flannel, which I pre-wash to remove dye and make super soft.

The Burp Cloths are by FAR my favorite piece! I can not tell you how I wish I had had these when my girls were babies. They are so big, and soft, and absorbent. The shape fits your shoulder perfectly and stays in place. I'm gushing, I know, but they truly are wonderful!! I trimmed the edges with a cute star-shaped stitch. There are two identical cloths striped on one side, polka-dot on the other, with hot pink stitching. The third cloth is pieced on each side (see photo on right) and has the softer pink stitching. Each cloth is 17" x 9" at the widest point and 8" in the middle.





 

This sweet little blanket is cuddly with a capital CUD! I made this one rectangular, but my future designs will be square.  It is constructed with the same cotton flannel as the Burp Cloths, and is just plain coziness! Blanket measures 33" x 25".

I also made a little bib. It is pieced on the front and back and has the same soft pink stitching as the single Burp Cloth. To be honest, it came out smaller than I would have liked, so future bibs will be a bit larger. This one should be fine for a newborn or young infant. Due to that fact and the blanket being a wee bit smaller too, I'm selling this specific set for $30!!!!

For now you can contact me for orders via the blog, or the blog email at Landopink [at] aol [dot] com.  Sew Krafty will have its own email soon. Keep your eyes open for the new blog, and for my Etsy shop!

Feedback is greatly appreciated.