Good-Bye 36, Hello 37

I just thought my 35^th year was a busy one, I was so wrong. This year has been my most adventurous year yet and I didn’t even know it till I started getting my pictures ready for my post. I have started so many new activities and removed some very heavy baggage from my life.

One of the biggest decisions I made this year was to quit my job that I was at for 5 years. It was a tough decision but ultimately I made the right choice. The Lord has something in store for me doing something else. I continue to follow Him where ever He shall lead me.

Right after my last birthday I guess I got crafty fever, and haven’t slowed down since then. Here are a few of my many crafts made during number 36.

I also discovered the craft of quilting and I Love Love Love it.

Taught Amy M. how to sew and now she is better then me.

Discovered I am in love with thrift stores.

I WON the Kendrick Chili/soup cook-off 2011. Don’t hate!!!!

I established Wreaths of love this past year and it was a huge success. We touched so many lives. Can’t wait till next year.

We had our very first all homemade Christmas 2011. It was awesome and I believe will continue. This way everyone gets to participate. I got the best Christmas presents I have ever received.

In January, Boot, our sweet baby dachshund came in our lives.   

My garden was small and basic this year, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. I guess my crafting had taken over a little.

I went on a vacation spree this year. I think my subconscious is trying to make traveling my new job. Lol If only I could figure out how to get paid to do this.

Gatlinburg weekend with Kimmy.

Christmas 2011 in the mountains with the entire Whitfield family and some.

New York City with Scott.

Isle of Palms – runaway trip

The Keys FL with Scott.

One of my biggest fears is marine life. Even the little bitty fish scare me. This year I went snorkeling. Nothing like just jumping in to get rid of that fear. I’m not saying I’m cured but I can get in the lake and ocean with out dying.

Week one

Week one of the no spend diet has been difficult to say the least. I am so used to going with Amy M on our weekly thrift/antique store sweep on Tuesdays. And on Tuesday that withdrawal came storming in with a vengeance. Once I got over that hump I was feeling ok. I will say I have had to put most of my crafting aside for the moment. The thing about crafting is if I need something I might have to run out to the store to get it and I know I would get distracted and start spending.

So what do I do with my time? I have been spending some time organizing and selling. I have so much stuff I haven’t touch in more then a year and its all just taking up real-estate in my small but cozy home. This week I made $127.00 selling things just sitting around.

I know for a fact I can’t just go window shopping so when I need something that I can’t get at the grocery, I just send one of my boys to get it.

As far as doing this forever is….. well that’s not realistic. But I do think this will slow me down and take control of my spending a little.

30 No Shopping Challenge

Yes, it is true I am a shopaholic. I thought when I quit my job I would slow down but that was a huge FAIL. And it’s not like I need anything. My tiny house is busting at the seams. So I am giving myself a 30 day challenge and on a selling spree. My goal is to sell enough stuff that I haven’t used in a year to pay off my credit card. Can I do it? So far I am off to a great start and I haven’t even really got to digging yet.

So if you see me selling something you gave me years ago do get upset. Just look at it like you gave me something I enjoyed using and now you are helping me pay off a credit card too. Two gifts in one.

Also, I am not allowing myself to go on any shopping trips until this is over. Sorry Amy M. my faithful shopping buddy. We still have the library. No thrift stores, Hancock or Hobby Lobby. I will miss you all so horribly. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!

I will give an update on August 1^st.

Wreaths of Love

I know its June and in the 90s outside but it is time to start to think about Wreaths of Love. Last year the Lord brought this to me in October so we were really rushed to get things done. Our goal was 100 and we completed 86. This year I want to double or even triple that number. I want to touch as many lives as possible.

For those who don’t know what Wreaths of Love is, we make homemade wreaths and deliver them to nursing homes and shut-ins. Last year we visited a lady and only 6 hours later she passed away. I like to think we gave her a gift of love before she left to go with the Lord.

Last year we were able to give a wreath to every residence at one nursing home. How awesome would it be to be able to do that to several nursing homes in the Anderson area.

What do we need you say. We need funds to purchase the material, volunteers to help make the wreaths and lots of prayer. Click here to visit the Wreaths of Love website and learn more about this cause and make donations. Our goal is to raise $1000.00. The more funds the more wreaths we can give. Please look into your hearts and so what the Lord would have you do but most of all pray for the success of this mission so that we may touch as many lives as possible.  

You can go to the Wreaths of Love website to make a donation or click here to make one.

Thank you

Hannah Mae's Graduation Lei

I also made her a Graduation Lei. I had some ribbon left from a previous project and cut out some grad hats from scrapbook card stock. Money, the best part and some ribbon to add the money with, got it at Wal-Mart for 98 cents. The process of this project is up to you. Get crafty!! But this is how I did it.

I cut the Wal-Mart ribbon in into six inch strips. Sew them onto the longer ribbon. I just positioned them about an inch apart. I was making this up as I went along.

I folded the bill in half with the president in the inside and the folded each side back in half. Kind of like an airplane. I started out having two dollar bills in each bundle but soon figured out three dollar bills makes a cute flower.

I just tied the bundles of bills every 2 or three strips of ribbon to make room for them to spread out. I tied the grad hats here and there on the remaining strips. Any strips left, I just snipped them off.

Hannah Mae's T-shirt quilt

Graduation is one of the most important days for a student and one of the proudest days for a parent and the Grads family. My son’s girlfriend, Hannah Mae, graduated this year. I wanted her to know how proud I was of her so I wanted to do something extra special to make her stand out. You know what that means – off to Pinterest. Lol

I noticed she had posted a t-shirt quilt in on of her boards. Even though I have been quilting since the first of the year this was something I had never did. I had to tell her because I had to get the shirts she thought best represented her through her high school years. After that everything else was a secret.

I basically just picked a dimension that would fit all the shirts – 14 x 14. It was slightly difficult cutting the shirts because as the shirts were washed over the years they had twisted slightly. After I had all the shirts cut I ironed the “iron on interfacing” on the back of the squares. Sewed the blocked together – 4 across and 5 down. I had Hannah Mae pick out her backing. I wanted it to be her favorite color. I set it off I had a square of the backing monogrammed in the shape of a SC Palmetto tree. Below is the final product. Pretty sure she loved it.

First quilt update

Update on our first quilts that was posted way back in January. Amy M. finished her quilt and it looks amazing. I absolutely love it. This was a layer cake from Moda.