Praise revelation part two

Related to my recent post about praise, I had another revelation this morning. Worshipping God is such a spirit lifter because that is what we were created to do! So the back story to how this revelation came about is that I discovered a new toy- an autoharp. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's an awesome instrument. It's an instrument anyone with any amount of rhythm and a negligible amount of musical ability can play. I can even sing while playing it which is more than I can say for my guitar or piano skills. I teach 2 year olds at Community Bible Study and we are learning about David. Tomorrow's lesson is about David playing the harp to King Saul to lift his spirits. I've heard my husband had an autoharp at his school so I had him bring it home for me on Monday to show the kids this week. I realized it was horribly out of tune, so I picked up a tuning wrench at Morey's music on Tuesday and learned how to tune it. Then yesterday I looked up YouTube videos of how to play it. (I love YouTube, it taught me how to knit too.) So this morning I'm practicing a couple Psalms (5 & 121) to sing and play for the kids. I realize I haven't had any coffee and though it sounds good I don't really feel the need to drink any. I have lots of energy- even though I went to bed at 11:30 woke up at 5 then again at 6 for good. I would normally be exhausted right now. Then it came to me-that is what I was made for- worshipping God. Duh! And I think that's what I'll be doing for eternity after this earth life is over. It's gonna feel great. My other hope about heaven is that there's a gigantic craft closet. :)

Fall projects thus far

When it rains it pours, I haven't posted in almost a month and now two posts in the same day.

Latest finished projects follow -Outfit I made for a friend's 2nd birthday. I fell in love with this sunflower batik print at the quilting shop in Chico and knew it was perfect for a little girl's fall outfit. I appliqued on purchased shirt the sunflowers, used ribbon for the stems, and scraps of another green batik I had for the leaves. I embroidered her initial on the shortest of the flowers (she's the youngest of three girls) though it's hard to see. The skirt is based on the one I seem to keep making because it's simple- here and here for example. I like using a second fabric for the bottom of the skirt. It's such an easy way to finish the seam since it's just a doubled over strip of fabric sewn on then top stitched, I added a little center pleat this time as well.

Hats number 3 and 4 in my hat knitting career are done, this time in adult sizes. The pattern is Ann Norling's Spiral Rib Hat which I like because it has directions for all different sizes, gauges, yarn weights, etc.... The grey yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light- which is really soft and the black is Berroco Vintage Wool which has a nice feel too. I keep experimenting with knit & crocheted flowers and haven't found one I love yet, but I'll keep trying. I'm not permanently affixing these flowers in case the receivers of the hats choose to go without them.

Works in progress include a log cabin quilt for my soon to be 4 year old's bday, along with a crocheted dress , and her ladybug halloween costume. Fun, fun, fun!

Recent Lessons from the Spirit

In trying to realize the dual purpose of this blog to record crafting adventures and changes in my life prompted by the spirit of God, I put down one of my most recent messages that I will be trying to implement into my life.

The antidote for a bad mood, or a slump, or "I just can't get up right now!"....is praise. Telling God who He is and why He is good. Even (especially!) when you don't feel like it. Guess what?! It works! My spirit is lifted and my focus is straightened out a bit. I highly recommend it.