Quick and Easy Crafts....

Long Time no See, Ya''!

Flower Scarf Hanger- Using Dollar Tree hangers, Shower Rings
Flat back pearls, Household String. 

Flower Shape- with flat back pearls.

My Favorite! Shabby Chic Jars using household string, lace, flat back pearls and Paint.

Lid 1

Lid 2

My personal reminder that Love is the greatest gift you can give to anyone.....
On the other side of this rock I put Please Turn Me Over...I use it to weight my mail to go out down. Once I get my mail out I turn it from Please Turn Me Over to this side :o).

I do hope that you will try your hand at these simple, but very satisfying crafts.

Until Next Time,

Karen

On to Happy Thoughts....

Hello Friends,

I am trying to help myself think more positive, but for me it is so hard to do on my own so I have joined Happify. Will ya'll join me over there and become my real time friends? I could really use it now. I could really use encouragement. Maybe some happy colored notebooks or altered journals with a written notes by you  in them on the first page?

If you want to participate in my Happifying journey and giving me some real time encouragement just email me at Karen Roth Contact me, please and I will email you my address so ya'll can write me. I understand that many of ya'll live very busy lives, but can you please spare one moment to write to me?

Now on to something that makes my happiness factor go way up, I just wish I could have these things in real life,lol

Shabby Chicness

Roses and Teacups
There is nothing sweeter than a bunch of adorable teddies. 

Just a shout out to +roses-and-teacups you do amazing work :o) Love everything!

Speaking of which, rush your little selves over to my Blenpal, Angie Tower who is the most awesome gourd artist! I so want here Windsor blue purse, just my color and design, I have a crush + on it.

Regional Renown Gourd Artist, Angie Tower

Until Next Time,
Karen

Inspiration for the Day and My Thoughts

I openly admit it I am a Christian and I will always hand God this life of mine as it is not my own I was just blessed with it for a little while. God has been the Father I never really had in my life and for my Comfort He was my Friend when I had none that I could call true. God is Faithful and True as he knows everything even the things that you are keeping so well a secret from those close to you. Just stop and turn around where you are this very moment and look up and run to the open arms that have been there waiting for you to just stop running and to turn around.  Please, let Him be your life and your all. He does Love you and has only your eternal good in heart and mind. He is the only thing that can fill the void in your heart that you have been trying to fill  so desperately without success.



 I am so glad that I have found Joel Osteen!

 Mr. Osteen has been such an inspiration in my life especially here lately since I have been too ill to attend my own church. I even watched his dear father before he passed on to a much better place. That is one reason I miss my television and Cable....

But behind every Godly man....

Dear Joel, is a an equally strong Godly Woman.....So Remember to thank your sweet wife Victoria for all that she supports you in and for all the times that she had said silent prayers for you and the silent tears she shed for you while she was alone at home.

Dear Victoria, Remember to thank Joel for all the times he has Spiritually Led, Protected, and Provided for you. For all the times he was praying for you when you thought he did not even care.

And I personally want to pray for both of you as I know only too well that to whom much is given , much is required. That you are fighting battles the public eye never sees and I want to thank both of you for your faithful service. Never lose your Hope {{hugz}}

So Men, Remember that God put us women here to help you to see the details of how to get from point a to point B. We women are the Nurturers and Comforters in your life so let us do our God-given job will ya, please?

But on the same note, Women remember that God gave you your man as your Protector, Spiritual Leader and Provider in your life so Women hear me well, Let your Godly Man do his God-given job in your life will ya, please?

This is the point where most marriages fall apart because we are so busy trying be who we are while neglecting to see the other person for who they are in Christ Jesus. Because we are so focused on all the petty little things that the other person is doing that we cannot stand or just plain do not like. Satan has you right where he wants you he got your eyes off the Redeeming work of the Cross and the Unconditional Love of Jesus Christ our true Role Model. 

So Let us readjust our Focus daily by spending time with Christ before we even start our day, because when you have spent time with Christ then the petty stuff of the day just washes off of you and you can say, " It Don't Matter, I love you". 

Because I will tell you a little clue, Love and Complements will win more battles than all your nagging,screaming,ranting,raving and if you just look at that finger staring you in the face it is your own telling you that you are not what you should be or where you should be. So just pause and go meet with God.

Until Next Time I will leave you with this thought.......

  

Shake off doubt, disappointments, self-pity, little dreams, little goals and make room for a flood of God’s goodness.
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) October 23, 2013

New Addition to the Family

Right Now I am the worlds most proudest 1st GREAT Aunt in the world!!!
Welcome to the family little champion, Baxter {{{hugz}}} I think I shall call you li'l Babu ;o)

Tiffy I hear you were a trooper, I am so very proud of you and of you as her supporter Brendan. Love to you both.

I cannot wait til I can be able to hold this priceless little treasure that God has so richly blessed you with. I pray that it is soon. This has been pure torture for me not to be able to see him in real life yet. You may not understand the hurt I am feeling as you may not understand the importance of a precious baby to me...so forgive me if I seem pushy or withdrawn at times. I truly cannot help it. The pain in my heart from losing my own babies is just too deep and I will never get the chance to have another myself. Life is stacked against me in so many ways that I cannot control....so please let me have a little pleasure even if for just a little while.

Again, Congratulations on your precious little bundle of joy!

Wildflower Pincushion Finished

Hello Everyone,

I just finished my first Wildflower Pincushion!  It was so fun to make. The hardest part for me was cutting everything out. I plan to make another for myself. This one is for my loving sister-in-law Maureen who is lovingly caring for her original client Bev and now my father -in-law Don whom I lovingly call Pa Bear. She deserves a treat as she sacrifices so very much in caring for these people in her own home. Maureen, You truly are an angel! {{{hugz}}}.

Wildflower Pincushion Top View

Wildflower Pincushion Side View

I have this cute little counted cross stitch that I received as a present a few years ago that I have been thinking of using as my jumping off point to Embroidery along with Sharon B's Stitch Dictionary. The little cross stitch has a wonderful saying on it  that quotes " each day... a new beginning ". It has a view looking out of a window at the blue sky, sun,grass,and flowers. Then it has two flowers on either side of the quote and five flowers beneath the quote. it comes complete with a hoop, thread, a needle,and lace to finish it off.

Counted cross stitch-each day

I am also thinking of doing a new tote bag as mine finally fell apart.  I have some cute ideas in mind but I am not sure I have the fabric for it right now.

In happy news, I finally received my Birthday Ballerina Slippers! YAY! They were made for me by Just Plain Flats Thank you so very much Mr. Moery !

Birthday Ballerina Slippers

Grrr! Picasa is acting up or my net is one. So I will use Photobucket instead. I will beat the system Mwhahaha!



I wish you all a very creative day!

Until next we meet :o)

Wildflower Pincushion and Crafting Links

Hello Everyone,

I sure hope that you are having a wonderful weekend.

I had a wonderful time on my birthday which was Saturday the 26th. My hubby took me for a most wonderful 8 hour round trip to commemorate my turning the big 40. It was so beautiful, so much greenery and lovely flowers, mostly Lupine. We ended the day by stopping and viewing Snoqualmie Falls.The most precious part of the whole trip was being able to spend all the time with my sweet, loving,caring,wonderful husband. It was completely computer and Android free, YAY!!!

Pardon the mess up on the pictures but it is Blogger's fault >.<

Snoqualmie Lodge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I wish we could move the pictures to where I want them  >.< Grrr!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snoqualmie Falls

Well, here is the link to the cute little Wildflower Pincushion. Give it a try and let your creativity flow. Send me an email with a picture of yours when you finish it (or them). I would dearly love to see them.

In fact, I think I shall get started on my pincushion :o).

If you are into crocheting as I am then head on over to Crochet Me.
Another good one is Crocknit. However, she is in the middle of an upgrade and the pattern pages are not yet working except for the free patterns. I have sent her an email regarding this. 

If you are into quilting then head on over to Free Patterns  another great place to start if you are a beginner is Easy Quilts

For jewelry patterns then head on over to Fire Mountain Gems Easy Projects.

Another great place to visit is Craft Bits. They have a variety of recycled and upcycled crafts.

Well, folks that is it for today. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be posting my finished pincushion :o). If not then bear with me as I am almost out of white thread.


 Happy creating until next time we meet!

Roses

Early Birthday Celebration with Family

I just had a most wonderful time celebrating my 40th birthday with most of my family!
I received a beautiful teal blue tie-at-the-waist sweater from the Matron of the family. My Sister-in-Laws surprised me with a $50 "Girls Day Out" coming up in June. My Niece and Nephew-in-law gave me some wonderful fat quarters and three postcards from Hawaii.

It was so wonderful!

Then this evening I took a very short romantic walk with my hubby. That was the highlight of my day! I fell in love with him all over again. It was so lovely to gaze at the foothills, to see the lights reflecting on a pond and to see Pepper, our dog, jumping through the field of high grass. The frogs croaking to each other, It is so romantic the way they answer each others call. The crickets were chirping along. A very sweet birdie sung a happy birthday song to me. It was truly a beautiful moment and the perfect way to end my day.

With that, I bid you all a Good Night and happy crafting until next we meet :o).

Much Love,

Karen

Baby Afghan and Health News

Hey there Everyone,

   How are we today? Me, not so well.
 
   I have been having intra-cranial pressure building up since February 23rd. The doctor thought it was Shingles so I have gone through two prescriptions and still not any better. So I am trying to get her to okay an MRI to find out what is really going on with my head. I have developed visual disturbances and I have almost fallen three times this week. The pressure is building steadily. She wants to send me to the pain clinic to get a nerve block but I told them that I was trying to get my doctor to order an MRI and that I really did not want to waste the doctor's time with the nerve block if it calls for something else. They were very understanding and told me to give them a call if I changed my mind.

   On to the good things!

   I finished that baby afghan I have been teasing you guys with and I think it is gorgeous!

 
    I started out with oversized granny squares.  I was desperate to find a way to join them. My way just wasn't working. So I googled and ran across Carina's Craft Blog
She was a life saver and didn't even know it! Check her out sometime. 

  You cannot see it in the picture but the light colored squares are actually a pale pastel blue, yellow, green,  pink and white.  Man was this yarn ever soft! I even made a couple of washcloths with the antique white yarn and they left my body so soft and silky. As soon as I have time and get to feeling better I plan on making some more. I wove ribbon throughout the edge of the afghan and stitched it down with my sewing machine. I also gave her a photo album that I had decorated with ephemera, ribbon, and buttons. It was so cute.  I divided it into activities and special moments such as "Playtime", "Daddy's Boy", "Dream it Up Little One", "Momma's Sunshine" just to name a few. Then I also gave my niece a devotional book just for Mommies. I was so very touched when my niece told me that our gifts would be family heirlooms. I almost started to cry because I was so very happy as that was my very wish while I was working on the baby afghan. I prayed over that afghan so many times as we all were afraid that since both parents were Preemies that this baby would also be a Preemie. But so far he is heading towards full term!. He appears to be strong and very healthy. According to my niece she told everyone when they had a 3D Sonogram (?sp.) that he looked so cute and angelic.  I cannot wait to see him!  I am so looking forward to being a Great-Aunt.

  In other news, I ordered the fabric for the skirt part of my Vow Renewal Dress. I received the lace trim yesterday. I just love the fabric to my skirt I plan on mixing it with a white polished cotton as it is polished cotton as well. I cannot wait to get started on my dress but I have to wait until I can order the rest of the fabric needed.

 Here's a snippet of it:

   Is this gorgeous or what! It is so romantic. I am such a romantic at heart and very sentimental. I just love the roses.

  Well, that's it for now. Happy crafting until next we meet!

What's Happening Lately

    Well, for starters, I finally finished that cute little hat I was crocheting along with the lap afghan I had been working on for the past few months.

Hand crocheted hat based on a child's pattern by Red Heart.

Lap Afghan hand crocheted.

Shell stitch made up of 5 Double Crochet.

   In the hat picture you can see what my next project will be. It will be new pillows for my sofa. I just have to wait for my sewing machine to get looked at if the machine oil does not do the trick.  That is why I have a month's worth of mending left to do. My sewing machine went wonky on me. I am trying to fix it on my own. But if it needs to go to the shop I am pretty much out of luck as I do not have that kind of money. I am operating off of a $20 a month allowance. I am disabled and cannot work at all. Due to my disabilities but I cannot seem to get that Administrative Law Judge to see it. So we are appealing again from a different angle. So wish me well in my endeavor.


   Right now I am working on a secret project that cannot be discussed for a few more months. At the right time I will post pictures of my project. I cannot let my little secret out ahead of time or it would ruin the surprise factor. It is a grand little surprise I have!


Here is a picture of the very first Ripple afghan I ever made.

Me and my first ever Ripple afghan taken on April 4, 2007.

 

 

 

 

  I really must make another sometime. Only this time in blues.

  Well, I guess that's it for now until I get my machine working right again.
  Have fun creating and please do share your crafts with me!

Health Update

        Just a short post to let you know that I am battling with no health insurance and a herniated disc in my L4-L5 region. I am trying desperately to get coverage so I can have my surgery to no avail at the moment. I am very frustrated and in an excruciating amount of pain on top of my usual Fibromyalgia pain. So please keep me in your prayers.

       New News- 11-08-2011: I have a Referral Request in the works and am just waiting to hear back from Virginia Mason Spine Clinic as to when the appointment is. Wish me well! 

      The pain has increased and it now feels like my low back and right hip are on fire constantly. Also it feels like my right hip is actually bone-on-bone which makes it excruciating to walk even from the bedroom to the bathroom which is like just five feet from each other. The last three days I have pretty much spent all my day catching up on missed sleep due to the increase in pain. Using an ice pack several times during sleeping hours.  The pain is somewhat tolerable upon waking but as soon as I sit up on the edge of the bed it kicks into high gear and becomes unbearable. 


        To give you an example of one such night: I went to bed at midnight, woke up at 1 a.m. grabbed an ice pack and laid with feet propped up on pillows on the loveseat. I went back to bed and fitfully slept until 2:30 a.m. I painstakingly made my way to the bathroom, took 2 Percocet then grabbed ice pack and laid on loveseat again. this time it took until 4:30 a.m. to get the pain level back to somewhat bearable then I went back to bed and slept until 6:17 a.m. at which time I was friends with my ice pack again and my over-the-counter Salonpas pain patch. I was awake until 9:45 a.m.  then I laid back down in bed and fitfully slept until 10:30 a.m. at which time I then got up to spend time with my hubby until 12:30 p.m. and then I crashed and burned until 4:30 p.m. 


        I am truly hoping in my case that the surgery improves my sleep. I however, have heard of cases where one surgery begat five more surgeries and then chronic pain. I am truly praying for a decrease in pain as far as my back is concerned. I know that I will never be pain-free because of my Fibromyalgia, but I do pray for my constant level tolerable pain back again. Having my back out pretty has pretty much bedridden me even though I do when the pain is somewhat tolerable get out and walk my dog, Pepper.  I truly miss being able to sit at my craft table working on my crafts whatever they may be. I do, however, have an idea for an adult sized version of a beautiful baby afghan made with 2 yarns crocheted at the same time into little shells. Hopefully, I can get stated on it soon and maybe I can work on that while I am laid up . We'll see! In the meantime, please keep those prayers rising up to God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.


       Also, share some of your crafting websites with me so I can get even more creative ideas :o) So I have something positive and cheering to look forward to!

My Baby Girl, Pepper, My Emotional Support Animal

     Keep on creating and exploring different crafts this week and I will try to get back to you later this week or as soon as I know when my surgery appointment will be.  God Bless and keep you!

Day One of a New Journey

            I am beginning a new journey to rediscover my inner crafter. I call myself the 'Masquerading Crafter' due to the fact that I have Fibromyalgia. There are many days I can barely crawl or often times fall out of bed. But on the days I can do my crafts, I do! Right now I am experimenting with different modes and types of crafts. I have been a very crafty person from the beginning until tragedy struck ( whole other story) and my health took a turn for the worse.....I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the age of 31 yrs. although I had carried the symptoms for many years before I could never afford proper medical care. That is until I met my wonderful hubby! He has been my saviour in many ways. Thank you, Darlin', I love you!

            My mother-in-law keeps telling me I can write a novel about the way I have survived life during my troubled years of growing up and away from my biological family. It was the best move I have ever made in my life! I'm not a heroine I am just an average person who has just refused to let Satan win one more battle in my life, anyone can do that. It does not take a hero, just takes determination and some bruises that do heal after time with the right kind of attitude and love. It's all a matter of the right kind of attitude. Even I falter at that at times :-) . I'm human and prone to err!

            Anyway, back to my new journey, I have been interested in learning to scrapbook for a while now. There are just so many diverse ways to express yourself with scrapbooking, whether it be with albums, journals or making cards. It amazes me that you can take 10 women and put them in a room with each having the exact same supplies and you will end up with 10 different outcomes! Each one unique to the creator herself. Many times I think we, women, craft with our emotions more often than not and each of us is just as likely to be too critical of our own work thinking that someone else's work is better than our own. It's not that it is any better, it is just different. Each is to be treasured!! I have come many years before that saying to finally sink into my hard head.

           I am just sitting here playing with a design for my "Renewing Our Vows" Album and the color blue keeps coming back to mind as it resembles the old saying of one being "true blue". The fact that it is my hubby and my  favorite color isn't being considered, honestly !  I am planning a Victorian ceremony on my part complete with the ballgown and the hubby gets to wear his blue jeans and sneakers as that is his true self. I am so excited about it! I am eagerly making the crafts needed for the ceremony myself at a lesser cost than it would cost to just buy them ready made. In fact as I write this, I am eagerly awaiting my Antique Victorian silver bridal bouquet holder! Should be here tomorrow....*does little happy dance*

              I am just beginning my journey and I hope that you will join me and we can travel together.......


              Until next time Happy Crafting! Celebrate Life, Focus on what you do have even if it is not much, it may be more than the person next to you has.