Sewing: Tree Skirt Sparkle

One of the best things I've done for myself this past year, is invest in sewing and quilting classes. Having this beautiful machine is quite a gift, but being able to really use it...that has been a blessing! I have learned so many 'tricks of the trade' that have made projects so much fun. I am finding sewing projects to be great stress relievers too!

I decided I wanted to make a tree skirt to match the curtains in the main part of the house. I won't bore you with the details of my experiments to get a perfect circle, we'll just jump ahead to when I remembered I had a pattern that includes a tree skirt. Ugh!

After pulling out the pattern and cutting it out, I cut out the fabric and some backing. I had some sparkly buttons I wanted to use as embellishment and debated several options, including adding some ribbon edging or stripes to attach the buttons to. I have been working on a pintuck technique and decided to try that with the tree skirt and attach the buttons on each tuck.

The pintucking went well, as did attaching the backing. I pressed it, making sure the baking was pulled underneath so it doesn't show. Then I used scrap fabric to make tabs and stitched them into the last seam at one edge of the opening. I adhered velcro to the tabs and the underside of the other edge of the opening. With the skirt completed, I attached the buttons to each pintuck through both layers of fabric.




I put it under the tree and watched the buttons sparkle in the light of the tree. I think it is perfect!

Thanksgiving

There were a lot of emotions surrounding our first holiday in the new house. Our first holiday as parents, we served Thanksgiving dinner at our place with both sides of our family surrounding us. This holiday, plans were challenged and Ben's parents were the only ones able to join us. But we had an amazing day, starting with a hot chocolate and paper from the closest gas station, watching the parade and lots of football, cooking, baking and eating yummy food.

Our daughters helped make the pies and mash the potatoes. The boys helped clean the house and set up for dinner. We turned on the Christmas lights at dusk. Then we set up the new tree before bed...we didn't decorate it until Sunday, but we put it up and admired the pretty lights. Our oldest daughter wanted to go Black Friday shopping with me, so I arranged my shopping so she could come too. We were up and out by 2:30 in the morning and had a blast together! 

There is so much I am thankful for this year...but I'll just share a few. I say a prayer of protection over my husband and his vehicle every morning on his way out the driveway...I am thankful for his safe travels. I say a prayer over my children every night before bed, for sleep and protection...I am thankful for each moment I am blessed with these children. I have spent many hours praying over the finances of building this house...I am thankful the waiting is done, the mortgage is final and the payment is what we expected. I have had a heart for discipleship and ministering to women...I am thankful for the opportunity to do just that at the House of Hope this past year and for upcoming opportunities. I am thankful for family and friends, for health and rest when we aren't healthy, for everything I need and a bit of what I want, for the opportunity to wake up every morning and serve my God. The Christmas season is now upon us...and I am thankful for that, too!

Showing God's love...

...in a practical way. Kindness Ministries is a huge part of our church and our family. The concept is simple, the execution can be fun, exciting, challenging, surprising, and always worth it! Everyone is special, unique, precious and loved by God. Do something nice for someone, asking nothing in return, just because.

One of my favorite ministry opportunities is the local parade.

Another favorite is the holiday photos that we offer in November. I take a few photos, edit them and send them to the family or individual free of charge. We have met so many wonderful people, all so thankful for this gift. I also offered this ministry for Mother's Day and Father's Day this past year. It warms my heart to capture this moment in a person/family's life.

Do you have an idea for a Kindness Ministry? Have you done something like this that we might be able to do too? Or have you been touched by an act of kindness that really blessed you? I would love to hear about it!