Quick Update...

It's been brought to my attention that I haven't updated my blog in a while and well, I'll just say that life has happened. ;-)
Each week gets busier and busier.  I'm working a part time job on weekends only and going to school.  We may be moving soon too, so now I have the addition of packing to that list as well. 

School will be out in 2 weeks and I'll get a week to breath and then it starts back up again.  I'm still a bit undecided between the Medical Assistant Program and the LVN program.  I'm leaning more towards the first.  It fits my personality a bit more than the LVN.  I don't have a real desire to be a nurse, I'd only be doing it for job security and money.  Not a great reason to do something you'll be doing for the next 20 or so years of your life.  At any rate, God will lead me in the way He would have me to go.

So other than that, I haven't been up to much at all, other than gardening.  I've got everything in huge pots with the possible move coming up.  I can't seem to stop acquiring pots...LOL  I have over 15 tomato plants, 8 pepper plants, 4 asparagus plants, 4 strawberry plants, a load of mint and basil, squash, cucumbers, green beans, and peas.  They are all doing well and when I'm not doing homework, you can find me sitting amongst my garden admiring it.  It's so peaceful and tranquil tending to it.

I've done absolutely no sewing in the last couple of months.  I lost my mojo for it, but I'm sure after we get settled, it will return.

Ok, that's about as long as it's going to get right now.  I'll try to update again when school lets out and I can focus.  

Tasha

When God Gives You Something Spectacular

You sometimes want to tell Him to hurry up and give it all to you at once!  He gave me a vision, but before I can make that vision a reality, I've got to make it and then send it to a couple of trusted friends and let them test it out for me and THEN, I can re-open my Etsy shop and let the fun begin.

I'm excited to see where this will lead.  Excited to see what God does with it.  And having loads of fun with the vision in my minds eye.  I won't post pictures of it until it's in my shop, but let's say I'm bubbling with anticipation!!!

I've also decided I will continue to learn to quilt and will do a few of those on the side mostly as gifts, but I want to also get back into learning to sew clothes for myself.

I'm EXCITED!  Can you tell?

My Prayer Today...

Today I was able to open His Word. I first began with some music that really spoke the words of my heart. Restore Me by Anthony Evans and Lifeline by Mandisa. It is lightening to be able to purge your thoughts and heart to the Lord. The words of both of these songs helped me to do just that.

I then looked up scriptures to read when feeling lost Romans 8:28-39...hurry, go check it out.

As for Psalm 40, I read through it and my heart felt lightened. It truly is my prayer today. If you too are feeling a bit melancholy or lost, I pray that as you read it, you will make it your hearts cry today as well. If there is one thing I know, even when I don't feel like God is near, He is. I KNOW He is because I'm still here!!!!

Now, off to do more job applications and hopefully get some sewing done today.
Be Blessed!!

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the LORD.4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud, or in those who worship idols.5 O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand -- you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.7 Then I said, "Look, I have come. And this has been written about me in your scroll:8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart."9 I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.10 I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.11 LORD, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.12 For troubles surround me -- too many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage.13 Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me.14 May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.15 Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, "Aha! We've got him now!"16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.

 In Need of A Savior, 

Tasha

I Am Still Around

It's been several days since I've blogged and I've missed it.  It can be very daunting to blog when you feel you really don't have much to say to inspire or encourage others and that is what I'd like my blog to be about...as well as just showing the real side of who I am.
I'll try to give you a "brief" run down of what's going on in my world without boring you to death, or just maybe I will bore you...sorry in advance.  ;-)

We've been dealing with a nasty stomach bug that hit my house twice in two weeks.  SO NOT FUN!!!  However, we are all on the mend now.  I hadn't done much sewing to begin with in the past month and the illness didn't help much either.  I've made some decisions in the past 20 days.  I'm closing my online shop.  I'll actually NOT renew my web thing-a-ma-jig.  I will make a few business cards and as I give items away for gifts, I will include a card with it and people can come to my blog to see pics (I'll put up later) to see some of the things I've made.  I just don't feel motivated any longer to do mass sewing on a continuous basis.  I don't mind doing mass sewing for a craft fair or bazaar, but aside from that, it takes all the fun out of it for me and I want it to still remain enjoyable.  So I guess that answered my question....I am NOT cut out for being a salesman.  Not in the sense of having a shop.

What I really want to do (I don't think any of my friends or family know this) is teach others to sew, even if it's just basic things.  I wish I could start a sewing studio, set up with 5-8 machines at all times and teach beginning sewing.  Then I wonder, do people really want to learn how to sew?  I'm looking into classes at our local homeschool coop as a trial test.  I just wish I had a better place to set up....NOT JoAnn Fabrics.  That's my favorite place to shop, but I don't want to deal with their fees and such.  If I did, I'd basically be making pennies on the dollar....and they'd be taking the dollars. :-/
I know I have to start somewhere, but as a single mama, I need to be able to bring something home with which to feed my children with.

Anyway, I've also been asked to consider doing a devotional.  I'm just wondering, do I have ANYTHING to put in a devotional?  With ALL the thousands out there, WHO would want mine?  Would I gear it towards single moms?  And I'm seriously NOT articulate with my words!  My mother was a word person.  She loved all things words and learning.  I know just enough to get me in trouble!!!  More decisions which to pray about...

And I don't have to tell you, but I will, I'm struggling in my prayer life.  Struggling because I see God at work in my life, but when I look at the massive poverty we still live in and the thought of having to go back to a 9 to 5 in order to provide for my children, it is daunting and I get discouraged.  I'm not even sure which way to pray at times and yet, I keep trudging along...my children are watching.

On to other news.....

The other night I watched a really good and interesting documentary.  Forks Over Knives Now it got me to thinking AGAIN about what we eat.  I had gone the route of trying vegetarian full force and after about 21 days, I went back to my old habits.  Then just this year we gave it a go again, only this time I decided we would only have meet a few times a week.  That went well for a while as well, but yet again, I got lazy and went back to what I was comfortable with.  You know when you know something and are comfortable with it, it doesn't take much brain power to crank out a weekly or monthly menu and shop accordingly and cook accordingly.  It's a serious no brainer, but when you are switching to something so drastically unfamiliar, it takes A LOT of brain power and well, I got lazy!!!
So after watching this documentary, I began to THINK again.  I have heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, high cholesterol, and now milk (I LOVE MILK) is doing a number on my stomach.  Now I totally dig veggies.  I enjoy them more than meat, so it's not the meat per say that I'm having an issue with giving up.  I totally LOVE dairy and eggs.  Yet this just may be one of the main culprits contributing to my health issues.  Knowing that, I still want my dairy and eggs.  I can go without milk...sigh.
I can learn to cook with almond or coconut milk, no biggie.  However, I don't know how to go without my cheeses, butter, and eggs!!!!  Well, I have been substituting coconut oil for butter whenever possible...not sure how to do that in baking.  OK, so that leaves me the cheese, eggs, and baking with butter dilemma.  I tried one of those cheese substitutes Daiya......ummm NO!!!!  What happens when I'm craving an omelet?  It doesn't happen often, but we have chickens in our chicken coop and they lay beautiful eggs.  Do I give in to that craving every now and then?  What happens when I want lasagna or a casserole that calls for cheddar cheese?  Or what about Mac N Cheese?  OH MY WORD!!!!!!!  I think this might be a bit easier if I had a nearby vegan friend that I could go to her house and sample her food.  UGHHH

Well, I've given myself until Jan 1, 2012 and I will switch over completely.  I have until then to find things I like to substitute the things I love.  Until then, I am gradually making changes.  I bought almond milk for cooking, not sure what to drink when I have a cookie....:-/  I'm already using coconut oil where I can.  I've switched from whites...flour, sugar, pasta, and rice.  Any vegans following me?  Got any pointers? I have also got to get my garden tilled and begin to compost and fertilize it now so it will be good and ready to go come spring.  Another sad thing is I JUST GOT ALL MY RECIPES CATEGORIZED AND IN 1 BINDER!!!!!  After 3 years I got it done last month and NOW I will have to redo it with vegan recipes. arghhhhhhh ughhhhhhhh

However, I know this is best for my health, so I will do it.  I'm over 260 pounds and I've got over 110 pounds to lose.  Oh My Word...seeing that just made me realize, I'm carrying a whole extra person on me.  No wonder I'm always so tired and lethargic and my heart races out of my chest!!!  Those are some sick numbers.  I've got to be serious about this whole thing...I do want to live a long life and enjoy grandchildren someday.  I can't do that if I'm in the grave because I enjoyed ALL of the things I love about food.

Anyway, that's what's going on in my world.  Ohhhh, and I am still considering moving.  I'm thinking Arkansas or Tennessee.  Just not sure when.  My youngest will be 18 in 2 years.  So then it will just be me moving if he leaves the nest at that age.  We shall see, only God knows!!

It's Official...

Well, there are 3 things that are official.  First off, I totally love quilting, even if I'm not a professional and EVERYTHING isn't perfect about them.  I enjoy choosing the colors and fabrics.  I enjoy cutting the pieces and sewing them all together again.  I love choosing the backing and putting it all together.
Second, I totally dislike quilting on my sewing machine.  YES, it can be done, but if I had my choice, I'd have a short arm quilting machine in my home and I'd quilt away.  I'd probably not have 12 quilt tops that need to be quilted.  I'd most likely zip out quilts before you could count to 100.
Last but most definitely not least...I absolutely HATE, and yes I said HATE, making the binding.  I don't mind cutting it, but I do HATE ironing it.  I could buy the binding, but that would be a waste to me when so many have blessed me with fabric beyond my capacity to house it.  However, I would most definitely like to have one of these Bias Tape Maker.  How much binding I could whip up in minutes?????  Only God knows!!!! ;-)

A girl can dream can't she???

Post #300... A Post of Thanks!!!

*********Thank you to the two ladies that participated.  Congratulations to Angie!!!!!!!  And Nabila I need your address as well, I have a little something for you to!!!  Love you ladies!


]Here is a picture of the pouch I made the other day!  I had loads of fun making this and plan to make several more and put them up in my shop!  This one contains all my Scentsy mini testers...

I've been wondering all day what I would post about.  Did I have something monumental I wanted to share?  Would I share what my family and I have been up to?  What about what God is doing in our lives?  Well, I contemplated over and over and finally just sorta gave up the thought.  Suddenly I knew exactly what I would post about.  Today's post is full of Thanks for those that mean so much to me or have inspired me in some way.

So without further ado, Let's begin...

I've met some awesome and wonderful people via this thing we call the World Wide Web.  I've met some friends that have become life long friends, more so than some of the people I know in person...there are a few exceptions of course.

Kelly, she has truly become a dear sister to me in my life.  She lives not far from us and we see them as often as we can, she has a heart and passion for her family.  11 arrows make up their clan and this family shines forth with the love of Christ.  She has prayed me through some very rough times.  I'm forever grateful for our friendship.

This could be said for the next few ladies as well.  Angie is a jewel.  I met her when we were both part of a tubal reversal group many years ago.  She has been a delight and her family has become my family.  She too has prayed me through some dark times.  Sandra another jewel.  She has inspired me in countless ways.  I admire her hunger and thirst for God and her family.  I anxiously await the day we will get to meet in person.  The first time I ever spoke to either of these ladies, I knew in my heart that we were kindred spirits and God had a purpose for bringing us together!!!  I still feel that way. Love you both!

Then there is L.  She is an amazing woman that has a fight within her beyond my understanding.  She inspires me to step out on my faith day after day.  I also can't forget Diane, Lady Kara, and Nabila....these women make me want to live such elegant yet content lives.  They inspire me to be ME!!!  

I love y'all to pieces!!!!  Thank you for being YOU!!!

Now the next few people I will mention, I've never met or talked to, but they inspire my creativity.  I've watched EVERY video they've ever posted, Read EVERY blog post they've written, and gone to their websites countless times.  I pray that as you check out their sites, you too will be inspired in some creative way!!!

Vanessa amazes me with her talents.  You can check out her youtube channel here, her blog here, and her website here.

Missouri Star Quilt Company....I've learned countless techniques and I love their shop (wish I could shop there more often, but you know how it goes).

And then Pat inspired me to just step out there and try free motion quilting and I did.  And guess what????  I loved it.  I'm just getting started, but oh the places I could go.  Oh wait, this isn't Dr. Seuss!!! HA HA  She has inspired me to at least try.  

I pray you will stop by their sites and take a look for yourself.  You won't be disappointed with any of the above mentioned blogs, shops, and so forth.  

Check out my amazing friends as well.  Ummmmmmm, I just don't know if I want to share them though! LOL!!!!  You will find that they are awesome just as I do.  

And I suppose you've been waiting for me to get to the give-away???!!!  Well, not to disappoint you, scroll down a bit further.  Go ahead...

I want to bless someone with this nursing cover up.  It's in browns and blues.  It has a nice size pocket for binkies and keys.  I made this one with a little extra fabric because it just seemed more modest.  You could win this for yourself or a gift for someone else.  And if you keep looking further down, you will see an adorable wipe case that has been decorated so cute and all.  I don't have this specific one, but if you look to the right and look at that fabric, I will decorate one using that print and embellish it with a monogram for that special babe.  These would make delightful gifts.

Ok, so how can you win this?  Well, if you will host a Scentsy basket party with me gets you an entry.  Commenting on this blog post gets you another entry, then if you will post about this giveaway on your blog, that qualifies you for 2 more entries.  Now each time you do one of these things, you must come back and let me know and by Friday, March 25th, I will announce a blessed winner!!!!

Ready?  Set??  GO!!!!!!!

     

Productive Day

The first half of the day was not so productive.  I stayed in bed much later than I should have, but I so enjoyed it immensly!!!  Then I was in a lazy mode and let my son go in the grocery store to purchase the groceries.  He did an awesome job and I'm proud of him!!
Then I took some time to sort through my Scentsy testers and took out all the discontinued scents.

The most fun in my day was some free motion quilting I did and making a quilted, zippered, pouch.  I've never done either of those things and let me tell you, I had the most incredible time.  I watched several videos and followed along and WOW!!!!  All my fears of free motion quilting and putting in a zipper just melted right away.  The zipper technique was beyond simple and the free motion quilting...well it looks like a 3 yr old scribbled all over the fabric, but I had major fun scribbling.

I'll post a pic tomorrow of the finished project.  I have to make another one and will take pictures as I go along through the steps.   Then I'm going to tackle a quilted laptop cover!!!!

By the way, I'm one post away from 300 posts!  I find that hard to believe.  So I'm going to host a give away for my 300th post.  Keep an eye out for it......

What a lovely Saturday

The sun is streaming through my windows, the warmth from it's rays is delightful.
I got to sleep in today.  It's not something I get to do often, so I take advantage of it when I can.  Instead of getting up at 4:30 AM, I blissfully slept in until 9 AM!!!!!!!

There are things I want to do today, but now that I've rested, I feel so refreshed and ready to get moving, from my bed to the bathroom and then to my sewing machine!!

I don't plan to leave my home today simply because I don't have to!  I love it.

Oh yea, I also noticed that I'm 14 posts away from hitting 300 blog posts.  I've got to quickly think of a cool giveaway for my 300th post.  Any ideas???

Have a beautiful Saturday in your neck of the woods.

Cool placemats and an awesome giveaway!

MIA ~ Too Sick to Post

Over the last week, I've been entirely too sick to post.
Last Friday evening as I was sewing, I began to feel bad.  My chest was hurting and everyone thought maybe I needed to go to the hospital.  I thought I just needed to lay down and so I did.  When I woke up Saturday morning, I knew I had the flu.  My body ached, I have a fever, and my throat was super sore.
By Saturday evening, I knew for sure we wouldn't be attending church Sunday and then my oldest baby girl began to feel bad as well.  I rested pretty well until Wednesday morning when I tried to go to work.  I knew I wouldn't be back that afternoon.
I finally began to feel like my old self on Friday and went to work.  I totally missed the kiddos that ride my bus.
Also on Friday, I felt well enough to finish the birthday gift for my sister.  A set of reversible place mats and matching apron.

Today, my head is still a little stuff, the coughing is still in my chest, but I'm planning to get some more sewing done!  If I can get up from this one spot. ;-)

This is just but one sample

Just a little taste of what I'll be making....

Any idea what this is?

Sewing Area Organization

I debated over and over about reorganizing my sewing area since I don't have a new deadline to move out.  I really contemplated not doing it because I know we'll be packing it all up soon.  However, as I tried to sew Christmas gifts, I was getting totally frustrated with the area and the lack of organization.

So today, instead of sewing....even though I so wanted to just sit down and sew, I took the entire day and reorganized and rearranged my sewing area.  The girls are not sewing so I had them pack their things up and utilized their area, getting rid of my larger sewing desk.  With this setup, I even have a place for my laptop so I can watch video demonstrations while I sew.

I didn't take any before photos, but here are my after photos.  Excuse the stuff on the cutting table.  That's part of my Christmas gifts.

Now I'm too tired to sew.  So, I'll be sewing tomorrow when I get off work.  Some time in there I'll squeeze in cooking.

To all my sewing friends...

Have any idea where I can get inexpensive labels to sew on my items???

I'd like them to say Made With Love by Tasha or Handmade By Tasha

Any ideas?????

Closing Etsy???

Well, not necessarily closing it but changing what I sell, at least that's what I'm thinking.

I completely enjoyed making each burp cloth, nursing cover up, and bib.  Yet, I don't think there is much of a demand for them.  I will continue to make them, but as baby shower gifts.
I won't reveal what I am making...well, one person knows already, but she'll not tell until I reveal it. ;->
I'm praying that these items will sell well.  We shall see.

September is National Sewing Month

Four years ago I learned that September is National Sewing Month.  Every year after that, I've completely forgotten about it.  This year was no different.  I got word from a friend via Facebook!

I plan to celebrate all month long too.  I'll be increasing my inventory so I can open my Etsy shop in October.  I don't think I will be making any clothes anytime soon, I've also got an order for several aprons for a friend.  She's preparing her Christmas gifts for her aunts and mother.  

So I will be sewing a lot this month of September.  I'll post pics soon of my progress.

Rowenta Iron Give-Away!!!

Head here to find out more about this neat giveaway!!!

Monday Musings - My Weekend

Ever planned your weekend to the T or at least had in mind things you were going to try to accomplish?  I had the entire weekend planned out.  I didn't work Friday because of my Dr. appt. and thought that after doing laundry I would be able to work the rest of the day in the garden and plant some seeds (I know I'm late).  I had Saturday planned for sewing and some of Sunday as well.

Needless to say, I've been sick with the flu the entire weekend.  We got the laundry done, but after that, I was no good to anyone for anything.  My children had to take care of me!!!!

Saturday, I was going to force myself to do something.  I felt some what stronger...I should have resisted the urge to go outside, but it was gorgeous.  I helped my children separate 3 roosters with their own sets of hens.  Too many roosters and they fight each other to the death.
After we got that accomplished I was winded, drained, my fever was up again, dizzy, exhausted.  I laid down and slept for 5 hours.
No sewing was accomplished what so ever.  I looked longingly at my sewing machine and serger and thought of the various projects I wanted to be doing and some future projects, but none were accomplished at that moment.
Sunday I felt a bit better, but felt it best not to push it.  After all, I had to be ready for the work week.

Oh, I did get to do some job searches online Sunday.  I need a part time job from 9-2, M-F or a couple of houses to clean per day that will rake in at least $1200 a month.  God will work it out, of this I am certain.


GRATEFUL:  for children (blessings) from the Lord that help to take care of me when I am down.  I appreciate them more than they know!!!  Thank you my cherubs.

PERSONAL GROWTH:  Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Need for Speed

This morning my dear sewing friend was putting me to the test.  I was being timed to see just how fast I could cut and sew a pair of pj pants (shorts).  OK, so the thing is I could not use pins to pin my pattern to my fabric...trying to do as the professionals do.  That wasn't so hard.  I used canned veggies and it worked out perfect.  I didn't mind the cutting as much as I usually do.  I hate having to get the pattern ready, then prep the fabric, then pin the pattern to the fabric, THEN cut and on and on it goes.  So cutting took maybe 10 minutes.  Then I headed to the serger and machine.  I made these two pair of pants 99% on the serger and 1% on the sewing machine and that was absolutely fun to me.  I've had the serger for several years and only used it maybe twice because I really didn't know what to do with it or what it could do. . . OH BUT I DO NOW!!! ;-)
So in under an hour I cut, serged, hemmed, all in under an hour and 5 minutes to put the elastic in them.  My nephew is wearing them now as he lays down to take a nap.

          


Now to make a few pair for my son!!!

GRATEFUL:  For my family who is thrilled with each new step I take towards improving my skills and preparing for my shop.

SCRIPTURE:  I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.  Phil. 4:13

A name for my business

FINALLY!!!!
I've chosen a name for my business!  I've been pondering and praying over that for months, not sure I would ever come up with one and then not sure the one I came up with would be suitable or likable.  Would it sound cheesy or would it really represent me.  However, I like it!!!

STITCHESNHEMS

I'll set up my Etsy shop soon.  I want to get a few of the items I plan to sell made up first and THEN do a bit more reading on how to set up my Etsy shop.

I'd love to get some tips, pointer, ideas for my profile and introduction to my shop, so if you'd like to volunteer some I'd be extremely appreciative.  If there is one thing I don't do well, it's brag on myself.  I just find it so totally hard to do and yet I'm told that is exactly what I will need to do in my profile.

Roman Shades Anyone???

I was checking out another bloggers post and saw this link on how to make Roman Shades.  I've
printed out several how to's, but none that were this simple or that made me feel like I could do it
myself. 
Let's just say I'm direction challenged...I'm a total visual and usually have to google videos to be
able to do much of anything!!!!

I've got to finish the crib set I'm making for my sister, but these shades will be my next project, as I've
got mini blinds that are breaking, broken, and just in need of replacement. 

--------------------------------------------

GRATEFUL:  For life itself!!!


PERSONAL GROWTH: 
Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, in His Word I put my hope."