Day 1 -3 of 21 Days to getting Organized

Getting organized is something I've wanted to do for a while. I just needed a kick to get me started. My friend Scotti posted a link to A bowl full of lemons "21 Days to getting organized challenge" and I can't thank her enough! Thank you so much Scotti!! I actually started on Day 2, but did both Day 1 and 2 on the same day. This will have both of those days, plus Day 3 of the challenge.

Ok...
Day #1 Challenge (Organizing the "junk" drawer)

This is pretty embarrassing. This drawer became cluttered due to me just pushing stuff off my desk into it. Why wouldn't I just put the stuff away? Time to get rid of laziness!

The drawer is actually for my scrapbooking items. So I pulled everything out, straightened my punches and put them back into the drawer. When I get a chance I will get a tray to hold my scissors and this drawer will be complete!

On with the next challenge!
Day #2 Challenge - Your computer desk (top only)

Another embarrassment! I have not been in my craft room for a while now. It is just too cold in there! My desk, seen below, used to have my personal computer on it. Well... that computer started making funny sounds, so I unplugged it and stored it away. But look! I've put all these things on there! Anything that has potential for something to be placed on it... something will eventually be placed on it! I want to stop doing that!!

So... what will I put on it? Well I do have those cute little drawers just like on A bowl full of lemons. I plan to place those on my desk and some other desky (sure that's a word) supplies. I will leave a space open for my laptop. Now I don't want it too cluttered, so it'll be hard to put something on there anyway. Seen here... my desk bare. Only because I really want the something I put there to have purpose and reason! No more junk!!

Day #3 Challenge - The Messy Tupperware Cabinets

I have to admit, when I saw this challenge, I sighed. I did not want to do this!! When we moved into this house, we moved quick. I haven't really moved in, if you know what I mean. So this will look bad! *sigh*

I don't even know why all this extra crap is in here!

Originally, I wanted the snapple jars for my craft room. They are now trashed! Along with other things that I tossed and then I started a box to bring to our local thrift store. No yard sale here! I don't want all this crap coming back into my house out of forgetfulness!!

Here is the end result! Look at how nice and organized this looks. Not only does it look good, it feels good too! I made sure that all bowls had lids. If they didn't, they didn't make it into the cabinet! I'm lucky to have a lid organizer to hold all my lids. I love that thing!

See you tomorrow for Day 4!

A Special Hat for Ezra

A request was made for me to crochet an Elmo beanie. I was excited that I would actually be able to make something for the Matthews Cartoon Benefit auction that would be held by Hope for God’s Children. At the time, I could not even think of what I could make. I searched the internet only to get frustrated. Cartoon, cartoon… What cartoon character should I use? How would I use it?

When Judith asked me to make Elmo, I went to the store to get the supplies. I grabbed the yarn and went into the toy department to make sure the color was right. It was the only red in 100% cotton yarn that was available. There was a costume in the toy department that I could compare it to. It was a perfect match!

I begin to crochet away. Having no idea how I would make the facial features. I looked several times at Elmo as I worked. I made a basic beanie and the crocheted balls for eyes and a similar shape for the nose and then a big grin for the mouth. It didn’t turn out too bad, if I do say so myself.

I finally listed the hat on Ebay. Not only was this hat special for Ezra, but whoever bid on it, also got one for their child. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will be going to the Matthews Family.

Time to mail!

I didn’t wait for the auction to end. As a matter of fact it still has about 7 hours left for you to bid. Please help the Matthews family. Thank you!

With just 5 minutes to spare before the post office was to close, I left my mom’s house putting the pedal to the metal. I had to get this hat in the mail! I showed up and there was no parking. I had to park on the next block. I prayed to God that I would make it in time. I got out of my van and ran! As I was almost to the stairs a lady stepped in front of me. She was also going to the post office. Let me tell you, I had to be really patient. As I neared the main doors to the lobby, I could tell they were about to close the windows. I waved my box! The lady actually waited for me! Out of breath, I tell her that I need delivery confirmation. I paid of left with a sigh of relief. The moment I stepped out the door, my alarm went off on my cell phone. I took it out of my pocket. It was 5:00pm. The alarm had no description. I knew right then and there, God had provided me the time I needed to mail this special package. I begin to cry and thanked God for helping me get there in time.

I visited the Matthews blog today. To my surprise, there in the picture was Ezra resting with the Elmo Beanie above his head. I immediately told my husband, “YES! It made it to him!” then I showed him the picture.

Photo Courtesy by Kyle Matthews. Used with permission.

Please continue to pray for the Matthews Family. Thank you!

Pastor Gets a Pie in the Face

My daughter Harley memorized her Bible verse from Sports Camp/VBS and this was her reward:

Within seconds of the pie being placed in her hand, she tosses it into Pastor Andy's face. Seeing the camera flashes, you can tell that we missed the shot. Luckily, my friend Dee was able to take a video of it with her cell phone. Thank you Dee for sharing!

Here are the pictures I got:

Mouse Head Appliques - FREE Crochet Pattern

I just uploaded a new crochet pattern "Mouse Head Appliques" to Scribd. I hope you enjoy it. If you do make them, I would love if you share a picture on my Facebook Page.

If you find any errors, please let me know. Thank you!

Happy Crocheting!

**If you do not have a Scribd account or have difficulties downloading the pattern, please contact me and I will happily send you a PDF file.

Mouse Head Appliques

Little Ellie

Look what just stomped off my hook! Isn't she just the cutest thing?

This little elephant measures about 4" long and 3 1/2" tall (including trunk). It fits nicely in the palm of my hand. A wonderful size for a little one to carry around.

I will be making one of these for the Hope for God's Children launch "Going to the Zoo with Elizabeth". Be sure to search "HGC" on Etsy and eBay starting Thursday, June 3rd.

Custom Set - Shop Makeover

On Monday, I entered a giveaway that was held by Cynthia of Cynthia Korman Photography & Design. She was giving away a custom banner and avatar set. I was lucky enough to be one of the winners. We got to chose a theme and the colors that would be used and if we had a logo, she would add it too. I didn't have a logo, so I just told her bears and earth tones. What a help I was right?! Well, this is how amazing she is! With the little I gave her, she designed this set for me:

Isn't it just the sweetest?!
She made the set personal, by using my bears to draw the image!

Cynthia is having another giveaway and you don't want to miss this one. It is a winner's choice giveaway! There are SEVEN fantastic choices to choose from. Stop by her blog to enter today. The giveaway ends Tuesday July 6th, 11:59 central time.

Dying to Get the Right Color

Living in a rural area does have it’s downfall. Not often does the store have the colors you need. Not to mention the yarn companies, if you were to order online. The closest Hobby Lobby is a little over an hour away and we just don’t make the trip often enough. When we recently did, I looked for yarn and thread while I was up there. I wanted to purchase colors that I knew I would need. Sadly, I didn’t find them.

A few years back, I used a strong pot of coffee to dye some yarn. The yarn would be used to make a bear for a challenge that I was involved in. You can read about it here. But, coffee only comes in one color. So it is hard to use coffee to get the colors you need. And even when using the coffee, the color isn’t guaranteed to stay. I know people have used kool aid. I haven’t tried this method yet, but do plan to. Just think of the colors that can be achieved!

Well, I went to our local Walmart and picked up a box of dye. I didn’t expect it to work as well as it did. My son and oldest daughter even helped! The first color… orange. My son was so happy with the results. He wants an orange bear made for him and the color was exactly the color he wanted it to be. He even asked if I have thread left, if I would save it for his bear. I love it when kids are just as excited as you are in a craft!

Since, I’ve dyed to get purple and even yellow. I am satisfied with the results. I could possibly have every color of the rainbow now! Fun colors… great bears (or other projects)!