Music special with flute Obbligato

Well, here is a link to a small clip of a Music Special performed at our Church Sunday night. Posted by a friend on Facebook, I am hoping that if you have a Facebook account, you will access to the song, even if you do not have her as a friend. I dunno. (Let me know if it doesn't work.)
  My oldest son (on the right) and our music director is singing, while I play a flute obbligato.

Music Special with Flute Obbligato

"Think Big, Pray Hard, and Finish Well"

   I have been crocheting for just about a year and a half now, after having learned as a teenager. I only made two simple afghans back then, and once married, all my creative energies went into raising my five children-all full of boundless, crazy, creative energy themselves. I have home schooled them for 14 years out the 21 years they have been around, and I still do.
  My oldest two have graduated-both sharp minded, quick witted, and extremely bright. One is pursing a degree in music-with a concentration in voice, coupled with church ministries. The other, having worked towards a restaurant managerial career, is moving back home to work and save money to pursue a degree in Creative Writing-her talent and long time dream. Having placed in the top 3% of the Nation on the ACT test in all the Literature/Language/writing, I know she will do well in her studies, and rise to great heights in whatever she purposes to do with her writing.
  My third is graduating this year, and will stay at home for a year to work before heading off to Bible College for a one year  Bible Certificate before deciding what he will do next. Another creative and talented kid, he possesses an amazing ability to play piano, as well as sing.
  I will be homeschooling my last two children  probably till they graduate as well. It is a privilege and a great blessing to be a stay at home mom, and share in the lives and laughter and love of my children as I do. It can be tough, challenging, tiring, and downright discouraging at times, but it is well worth it all as I fulfill my God given role as a wife and mother.
   However, now that I have a little time on my hands (literally) I am seeking to pursue making money as a homeschooling, stay at home mom with my addiction to crocheting. :)
   I am purposing-as part of my crochet business-to venture out into the world of teaching and design, Lord willing. A big order to fill, and may take some time for me and my limited time and energies-but I think it is something  that would keep me focused, challenged, content, and busy for a while. I also think rising to such a challenge and finishing well with it would be very rewarding. "Think big, pray hard, and you'll finish well" is the way I choose to live. :)

Soap Filled Sachets

Circular Cotton Facecloth

Back to college

Last night I had another opportunity to sing a duet at church for a music special with my oldest son, Aaron. Its always a blessing when I do get to sing with my sons. He had come home for a semester in January to work and save up some more money to pay off some of his school bill before going on with his studies, and it has been very nice having him home again for these months. Last night was a bittersweet thing, however, as he has just announced he is going back in May to stay at the college, and work his old job where they will be giving him many, many hours. He will also be the grounds keeper at the college now as well, and the hours he puts in as such will be directly applied to his bill. Besides all that, he was informed the mens quartet so needs him. Lol. I know he always loves to hear that, and I know it is so true, too. He's so talented. It is always a blessing to see the Lord working in our kids lives, and to know that there are good, loving, caring people involved in our children's lives after they leave home, who are willing to care for them and love them and help them along for God's glory. This college is one such case. I am so thankful that my son loves it there, and is cared for and looked after like a son by these men at New England Baptist College and Central Baptist Church in  Connecticut. I am also thankful he had the opportunity to come home at this time in our lives, and be around while my husband healed all these months from his surgery in November, and share in all the hours we had as a family hanging around and enjoying eachother's company as we have these past months. I will miss him all over again, and need to readjust, once again, to him being away from home, but it is where he feels he needs to be, and that is fine. I am hoping my son Sean will be willing to step up to the plate and be my next music special "buddy".  He is another story on musical talent....

This is Sean on the Grand Piano as we practice an instrumental special at our church. He also has a beautiful voice.







Well, I'm going to miss you Aaron, but you need to be where you feel led. Love you kiddo.

Cricut Exression 2: Anniversary Edition Giveaway!!!

If you have been eyeballing one of these machines like I have, you will share in my excitement, knowing there is the chance everyday for an entire month to enter this contest to win one of these!!!!

http://www.favecraftsblog.com/surprise-were-giving-away-a-cricut/ 

Spring Craft Fair-Please join us!

Spring Craft Fair

Saturday & Sunday

April 30 & May 1, 2011

10:00am - 4:00pm

 

Newport Elks Lodge

141 Pelham Street

Newport, R.I. 02840

Indoor & Outdoor Event

For further information contact

Teresa: (401) 396-9921 or (401) 935-4904

Fax (775) 923-4735

http://www.cherishthemoments.net

Hot Pack

 

 A hot pack made with Lilly's Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, size g crochet hook, half double crochet, rice, and a knee high nylon.

 

Note: ch2 at beg of row counts as first hdc of row.

To begin: Chain 18, hdc in 3rd chain from hook, hdc across, (17)

  Row 2 and on:  Ch 2, turn , hdc across. (17)

  Put Together: Once it is exactly twice as long as it's desired length (an even number of rows), without finishing off, fold in half with wrong sides together, ch1, and begin stitching both sides together with single crochet. (Be sure to sc the folded edge as well, to ensure continuity of style.) To turn corners, Sc 3 in each corner stitch. Before stitching all the way around, place Rice Pack inside, and continue to sc around remaining edges. Join w/ slip stitch to top of 1st sc.

For Border: ch1, sc in same sp, ch2, sc in next sp, *(sc in next sp, ch2, sc in next sp) from* around, working one (sc, ch2, sc) in the middle corner stitch for each corner.

Rice Pack: For the inside, fill a knee high nylon with rice, knot it, turn it inside out, and pull the rice bag through the nylon a second time. Sew the nylon opening shut, and place it inside the outer covering. 

To heat: Place in microwave for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on high to enjoy a comfy, soothing, long, moist heat. Ahhh!!!! :)

Drawstring Tote Bag

This little tote bag, approximately 4" x 7", is created using a size G crochet hook and Lilly's Sugar N' Cream cotton yarn in Hot Pink.

Begin bottom:
Row 1: In magic circle, sc 9. Join w/slip st to 1st sc. (as always, unless otherwise indicated).
Don't know how to make a magic circle? Follow this link to watch an online tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg&feature=related
Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in next st and every sc around. Join. (16)
Row 3: ch1, *sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (24)
Row 4: ch1, *sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around. Join. (32)
Row 5: ch 1, *sc in 3 sc, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (40)
Row 6: ch 1, *sc in 4 sc, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (48)
Row 7: ch 1, *sc in 5 sc, 2 sc in next repeat, from * around. Join. (56)


Begin sides:
Row 1: Turn, ch2, *work front post half double crochet in 1st sc and every sc around.(57) Join in top of 1st hdc.
Row 2: Turn. ch2, hdc in ea hdc around to last hdc. Join w/sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch3.
Row 3: ch5, dc in same sp, *dc in 3rd hdc, ch3, dc in next hdc, repeat from * around to 4th to last hdc. Join w/ sl st in 2nd ch of   1st ch 5 of the same row.
Row 4-19: sl st 2 stitches over so yarn in in center of ch3 sp, ch5, dc in same ch3 sp, *(dc, ch3, dc) in next ch3 sp, repeat from * around. Join w/ sl st in 2nd ch of 1st ch5 of the same row.
Row 20: sl st 2 stitches over so yarn is in center of ch3 sp, ch5, dc in same ch3 sp, *(dc, ch3, dc, ch3, dc) in next ch3 sp, (dc, ch3, dc) in next ch3 sp, repeat from * around. Finish off.


Ties: (make 2)
Chain 50, and finish off. (ie-cut the yarn and secure the end)

Taking one tie, weave around the bag in and out through the right and wrong side of row 18's chain-3 spaces. Tie each end securely together with a square knot and trim ends closely to the knot.
Repeat the above directions again for the second tie. When you weave the second tie through the bag, make sure the tie goes in through each space in the same direction as the other tie (ie-front to back, or back to front)


**In photo 1 & 2  you will see where and how the ties are put in this bag.

** Photo two shows the two separate ties:

**Photo three shows where to grab ONE tie from the opposite end of the bag:

**Photo four shows pulling that ONE tie out further: 

 

** Photo five:  Pull each tie from opposite ends at the same time to close bag.

Weave in any loose ends, remembering to also securely tie off end from the magic chain.

Simple Border for Wall Hanging

(or anything for that matter)

 

As I went went bargain hunting at a local discount store for various items needed for some more craft fair projects, I ran across these simple but cute cloth calendars for hanging in the kitchen. The price was right, and I figured a simple, yet pretty border would liven these right up. Once I figured out the pattern I would create that would look just right, it worked up in no time.

     

Med. Worsted weight yarn (Caron's Simply Soft or similar quality) and size G crochet hook used.


BEGIN:


With tapestry needle, work a simple stitch evenly around sides and inside top of cloth. Tie off.

Base round, each side, crochet: multiple  of 10 + 5 + corner stitches (for sc, 3 sc in corner st) 

Round 1: ch 1, sc in same stitch and in next 4 sts *, [sc in next 2 sts, (sc, ch5,sc) in next st,  sc in next 7 sts] to corner st. In center corner stitch, (sc, ch 5, sc) –corner group made**, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * around, ending last rep at **, join with sl st to 1^st sc. 

Round 2: ch 1, sc in same stitch, *(ch2, sc in 2^nd ch from hook), sc in next sc in round 1, ch 1, skip 3 sc, dc, ch 1, sc in ch 5 sp, ch 1,  ch 2, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ch5 sp, ch 1, dc in 2^nd sc from ch 5 sp, ch 1, skip 3 sc, sc, repeat from * around. Join w/ sl st to 1^st sc of row. Finish off.


Spray starch on backside of cloth and border, being sure to only apply a small amount of pressure gently to the crocheted area. Hang and enjoy.

Preparing for my first craft fair

So, yesterday I signed up for my first craft fair. (I'm rather excited!) Last week I began making some more projects to fill my table. So, with school books and teacher's manuals on my lap, and crochet hook and yarn in hands, I continue to homeschool my nine year old daughter. It actually works out rather nicely multi-tasking this way-she gets her school work done, and I can quietly and patiently sit as she works on her papers.
  Here are a few things I've made this past week.