Crochet and Red Cotton

I did it! My very first dress design created from start to finish... so excited about it!

I used a simple single crochet stitch for the entire bodice. In the front I created some detailing by alternating two back-post single crochet stitches with two regular single crochet stitches seven times. I love how that turned out!

The dress can also be worn without the belt but I was liking the added texture and the slimming effect of course.

For the skirt of the dress I cut the fabric nearly double my hip measurement, then gathered it with elastic and sewed it to the bodice. The yarn stretches enough for me to slip the dress on over my head, though a zipper might have been nice. Maybe next time...

What do you think? Do you like it?

Man In the Clouds

This is Day Three: Clouds of my super fun photo challenge. What a perfect day to shoot the clouds because look who I found!

This adorable little man. I made the above sketch to help you catch my visual. Do you see him?

I love the clouds.

Photography Challenge

My new friend Abigail from Shine On Child inspired me to do this photography challenge. She's going on Day Three already so we're not in sync but I'm still excited about it. She was inspired by a blogger before her and I'm hoping this becomes a trend! Maybe you could try it next?

I love taking pictures but I get stuck in ruts where they all begin to look alike. I'm hoping this will help me expand my creativity, learn a few new settings on my camera, and in the process come out with some fun photos to share.

Here is my Day One: Self-portrait.

I must say I do love the shirt I'm wearing. I bought it as an early birthday present (Specially gifted from me to me. Is that selfish?) and it has since become my new favorite. In this photo I'm sitting at the kitchen table taking a break from crocheting, thinking about what to make for supper. It's Sunday afternoon and I feel wonderfully relaxed.

Thanks for reading. I hope you'll stop back to check on my progress.

Filing Helps

School is starting in less than a month and I am feeling the pressure already. I have one semester of grad school left, a gigantic paper to write, and a full recital to prepare. Plus students to motivate and inspire, and a dear sweet husband with whom I love to spend time. And somehow I know it will all get done. But that doesn't always keep my mind from racing and my body from stressing.

Prayer helps. I love to throw all those complicated thoughts at God and receive His peace as His response. Definitely not a fair trade, quite obvious Who gets the rotten end of that deal. God's grace is incredible!

Preparing helps. I love to get busy, get moving, and feel a progression toward a desired end. Yesterday I spent some quality time emailing and organizing my schedule for the semester. It helped eliminate some of the stress. Emphasis on "some." Today's filing project eliminated even more of the stress and has me feeling nearly ready to start studying. Emphasis on "nearly."



Check out the fun file box. I love finding cute office supplies on clearance at Target. 50% off this little piece of goodness.



And of course anything looks beautiful sitting on the bench of an old upright piano... well... maybe not anything, but this certainly does!



And now that I'm finished, I can sit and type (something I love doing by the way) and drink tea (something else I love doing). Just found this new blend... not sure how I feel about it. Tastes a little bitter and agave nectar didn't do the trick. Any other ideas? What would you add to this wild sweet orange tea to make it sweeter?



Happy Sunday to you. I hope you've had a wonderfully relaxing weekend.

Blog Buttoning

Today I tackled the long-procrastinated task of creating a button for my blog. And it is finally complete! What do you think? If you love it, I hope you'll share it. You can find the necessary scripting under "Share the FUN Button" in my sidebar. The dimensions are 200x121 pixels. Don't laugh, I had a little trouble with that part of the process. Couldn't quite get it to be exactly the hoped for 200x120.

While I was on a roll, I decided to make one for my mom's wonderful business since I've been meaning to share it with you all for awhile now. She (Carol Athman) is a natural health practitioner and very gifted at her job. If you're looking for an alternative health care provider, she would be an excellent option. She and Kathy Hagemeister opened Energy Health & Wellness in February 2008 and have since been doing a fabulous job of helping people feel energetic, healthy and full of wellness! The button below will take you right to their website.

Happy browsing. And happy weekend too...

Time for me to get some sleep. Church comes early in the morning.