What's There Not To Like . . .

... about watching a storm rolling in ..   On the horizon, when I see the clouds growing and when I feel the wind picking up, I am actually glad.  My thoughts turn to what my husband likes to call 'hunkering down'.  Fresh bread, soup, blankets, candles (just in case) and a good book, handwork, or movie with the kids. I love to hear thunder, smell the rain, and expect the air to be fresh and clean when the storm has passed. 

... reading a good book ..The Bible is my favorite: my comfort and my guide.  Other books include cookbooks (yes, I read the delightful stories more than actually cook), biographies, and even language books.

• The Splendid Table - the Heartland of Northern Italian Food
  
• The Mile End - Jewish Deli - New York Style
  
• Charles H. Spurgeon - 1834-1892 Autobiography (PDF linked)

... sewing by hand .. quilting and applique.. I am inspired by other ladies who do amazing hand work!  For this I am thankful for Instagram.  One of the ladies I follow @mirabelandme knits such lovely things.  She asked for ideas on how to organize her projects from idea to completion.  Several of the ladies had such helpful suggestions.  (there's a PDF printout below)   (thank you, @mirabelandme for this great question)

HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR HANDWORK:  

KNITTING . CROCHET . QUILTING . EMBROIDERY . PAPERCRAFTS

Step 1:  CHOOSE A NOTEBOOK - Personally, I consider notebook selection just as important as the wonderful project ideas it will hold. There are four notebook varieties described below. Find your favorite!

Step 2:  Have at the ready: (with 'attaching' items :)  Staples, paperclips, needle & thread, scotch tape.

Step 3:  Be Consistant

Step 4:  Be Creative!  Your Project Notebook is meant to be a help as well as an inspiration.  So choose the method that will keep those fingers flying!

     My grandmother was a professional knitter and seamstress.  She knit and sewed since she could hold needles.  My mother is also a master when it comes to handwork: from needlepoint to quilting to knitting.  I aspire to be as excellent as they are.  

<<< needlepoint pillow my Mom made for her mother, my grandmother)  

 Back when my grandmother was a young lady, (Argentina circa 1935) there were no sewing patterns for really anything.  My great aunt (my grandmother's older sister) was a master at looking at a fashion item and duplicating it- by sight..(Kinda like playing an instrument by ear)  This is how my grandmother stayed on the 'cutting edge' of fashion. She in turn, learned from her sister how to copy clothing styles and even how to add personality and flair.



      My grandmother was also a master knitter.  Oh! the stories she would tell! She could listen to the radio, read a novel, and knit a sweater ... all at the same time! (When I knit, my project has my full attention)  My grandmother knit designer sweaters for clients.  Her little shop was doing so well, that my grandparents invested in the then "NEW" knitting machine.  Business was good.  Then my grandparents saw the opportunity to immigrate to the USA.  My grandmother then began to do alterations.  That grew to the point that my grandmother had older ladies from Beverly Hills as her exclusive clients. She had to have a portable method of keeping track of her clients needs, wants, sizes, styles and more.  Remember, this is well before our iPhones & iPads.


My grandmother's handwork organizational tool of choice was the pocket-sized Spiral Notebook

• Pocket Spiral Notebook: within it's pages are kept notes, fabric samples, sketches, pattern numbers, size notations, addresses and birthdates. Maybe not the most beautiful, but for my grandmother, it was perfect.
  
• 3-Ring Binder w/plastic sleeves @vickilindgren wrote: Staple label including color, etc..staple lable and a piece of the yarn to the 8x10 paper, insert into sheet protector.  Make a separate section for patterns.
• Journal:   @deedeegirl8 wrote: I just note all mine in a lovely book and attach the yarn label or write as much info down as possible.  I think there are great apps as well to log projects
• Scrapbook style: big pages allow for lots of creative notes.  Sketch your ideas, use colored pencils, or Prisma color markers to bring it to life.  Glue sticks, staples, or stitch your fabric, yarn, or papers.  Find, Print, Cut out and adhere your inspiration designs and projects with fabric samples.

If you like to save all your creative juices for your project, here's a printable sheet ready for you.  You can just punch holes and put into your 3-ring notebook.  OR skip the hole punch and use a file folder with or without pockets :)    PROJECT SHEET 1

Some of you are probably gearing up for the season of giving!  Homemade Holiday Gifts just got easier!
HOLIDAY PROJECT SHEET 

  ... about knitting small projects ... hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, socks.  I made a baby blanket by knitting 4"x4" squares and then sewed them together - super cute!

... about teaching and sharing about Jesus out of the Scriptures .. when our children were born, we decided that homeschooling would be the best for our family.  Since then, I've learned a lot...not all .. but a lot. The most important lesson .. to FULLY rely on the Lord God Almighty for everything!  (We've even had other students join our little homeschool throughout the years - can you say, adventures?) 
      Curt and I led a small homechurch and I've also taught a number of lady's Bible study groups. 

... about going for walks with my husband .. when our children were small, I took them for walks all the time:  me, the stroller and our six children.  I was asked the silliest questions - all the time.  (If you are part of a "large" family or have two or more children, you can relate)  Now the kids are 'too old' to walk with their Mama..or so they think :) So, it's back to just Curt and me...it's ok.. 26 years together and we still hold hands and find plenty to talk about.

I hope you enjoyed today's post and found the little 'how to' helpful.

look up! your redemption draweth nigh.