Christmas stays

Christ .....died for our transgressions, and rose again - to stay :)

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.  For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

 2 corinthians 13:4

Simply Sweet Christmas Felt Decorations

photo by vicky sorsby, wingingit on flickr

Little felt ornaments remind my of my childhood - I remember my older sister and I making them every year, decorating them with many many colorful sequins and beads. 

A lovely fellow stitcher from stitchin fingers has a  tutorial for ornaments such as this - the instructions are in both French and English, the photos are clear and helpful, and she makes it so child friendly that even adults will want to jump in and make some :D

Her lovely, friendly blog is here:  pierrespapiersciseaux

I recall drawing around cookie cutters for the pattern, on to the felt. 

Thank you God for coming to us - we needed, and need you, so much, O Immanuel

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.   isaiah 7:14

shine brighter

when it appears that things are not going along swimmingly......

the light shines even brighter :)


Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: [he is] gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. ...
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.  psalm 112: 4, 7

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  ephesians 3:16-21

deserve?

This is a small portion of a larger project I have been working on - shown are little french knot flower drops.......

I am behind on TAST and have been (probably) too involved in the United States election coming up on November 6....but am so very thankful to live here where we can vote....and to have a military that protects that freedom.... here in the USA are we thankful, or thank less?  do we think we deserve this and that....or do we realize that God does not give us what we deserve, yet heaps blessings upon us?

 Christ Jesus is who He said He was....- folks can debate and fight about voting...
but Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY way - there is no debating and fighting  with God - He reigns :D

how can you possibly reject the Lord Jesus Christ? only if you reject God's grace and mercy.  And if so, you will spend eternity without grace and mercy - in God's wrath - which killed Lord Jesus Christ on the cross as He bore the punishment of all the sins of the world and suffered God's wrath...so that you, me, would not - .....and  He lives :D

accept or reject - eternity hangs in your choice...

and the next four years? 
 - thanks be to God for the choice

TAST 40 & 39

I have been working on a piece that includes a piece of vintage silk (specifically, a piece of lining from a vintage silk haori - a Japanese short "coat" worn over a kimono), shown here with TAST week #40's Beaded Hedebo Edge - this was a new stitch for me, and creates a pretty "ruffle" like row. The instructions for this stitch may be found here on pintangle.

The silk reminds me of  charmeuse; this is worked in pearl cotton 8, with little pearl beads......

On the same piece I have worked some patchwork of print cotton...

to which I added week #39's stitch, Knotted Buttonhole Stitch.... a new stitch for me, and I like it very much....

The stitch was worked in coton a broder, and I had already added the running stitch which you see at the top of the knotted buttonhole stitches - I like them together :)

Come and join along with TAST, you will learn new stitches, and meet others who are stitching along too - no pressure, but great opportunities for learning, creating and gathering wonderful information from experienced and gifted embroiderers!


For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 corinthians 5:21
He did that for you - your part is accepting on His terms


12 years ago someone took the time to leave a tract, which I found, that explained the gospel of Jesus Christ.  
 I read it... I then looked  up all the statements in a Bible to see if it was true....it was and is. That was exactly when life began - when I confessed my sins to God, turned from them, to Him, and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour - because He paid for all my sins - I could never pay, nor can anyone else - He did it all.  He alone is Saviour.

A little drizzle and caterpillars

        This week's TAST stitch is the Drizzle Stitch.....week #38.......

        a little drizzle for the little flower, in the center.....a little drizzle...........

                           and little caterpillars in our garden.........

                       I really like their feet and legs.........

                                                the way they grip so gently......yet firmly

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, [unto thee] do we give thanks: for [that] thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.  psalm 75:1


Thank you for coming by :)

Web Secrets - TAST 37

stronger than Kevlar

This week's TAST stitch is the Pistil stitch - and it reminded me of........

a spider's web -  so I stitched this little piece using the pistil stitch for every part - the twigs and little buds too.....

Real spider's webs are incredible, and amazing -  and  spiders, capable of such astounding chemical and scientific processes, did not evolve from slime ...any more than my stitching did.
They were created and designed :)

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, [unto thee] do we give thanks: for [that] thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. Psalm 75:1

the Pistil Stitch is one of many stitches I have learned by participating in the Take A Stitch Tuesday Challenge, hosted by sharon b. at pintangle  It is great for all levels of embroiderers, even beginners (like me )! So come along!

and thank you for visiting!

TAST 35 Whiskers

Sheaf Stitch

I am new to all sorts of embroidery stitches, and a bit timid trying new ones out...which is why Sharon B's Take a Stitch Tuesday  on pintangle  is a wonderful opportunity to learn new stitches, and to see how other, more experienced embroiderers use stitches in their work -

this week ...the Sheaf Stitch....I saw " whiskers", and tried accordingly...

with a bit of grass added too - the whiskers are cute...but I fail at faces, eyes...ears :(  But!
:D  I have learned a lot already!! and that is the whole point!

AND to share My Lord and Saviour Jesus with everyone, anyone...He sends my way :D


And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: 
for ye serve the Lord Christ   colossian 3:23-24

TAST 34 (&33)

Week 34 of Take A Stitch Tuesday, is the Linked Double Chain Stitch ...a combination of chain stitch and twisted chain stitch..........

 start with two chain stitches, then a twisted chain at the bottom..........

this is the first time embroidering this stitch,  and it reminded me of

...the little paw pads on rabbit's paws. :)

          I did a row of Pekinese stitch (week 33) as well to catch up .

TAST challenge/ pintangle

                        linked double chain on the left; pekinese on the right....
                   come follow along! and, no, I am not leading you down a rabbit trail...you will learn a new stitch a week, and be encouraged......whether you stitch or not :)

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day. 
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; 
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.  2 corinthians 4:16-18

Cast...On...TAST 32

For Take a Stitch Tuesday week 32 it is the cast on stitch- the petals of the flowers are done in cast on, with some bullions, french knots and seeding..........

 

and I also played with the photography as I took the photos - not touching them up....just moving them from sunlight to shadow.....

this stitch was new to me, and it was wonderful to learn...the cast on stitch....

                                                    threads used : coton floche a broder (16), perle 8, crochet 80
  
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Stars - TAST week 31

Algerian Eye Stitch for TAST 31

 The algerian eye stitch looks like a star.....so I made a few stars in the sky and added...

some drizzle stitches and a bullion knot, as comets....to the little contemporary embroidery snippet for Take a Stitch Tuesday.
Thank you to ThreadsandPatches for the inspiration for the drizzle stitch. Algerian Knot, Bullion Knot and Drizzle Stitch instructions are in Sharon B's Stitch Dictionary

Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
job 22:12

little sampler stitched TAST week 31on 32ct white jobelin, pearl cotton 5 and 8

Oyster #30

 oyster stitches...these are lovely to work with, and I am so thankful that I can keep learning new stitches thanks to Sharon at pintangle, and Take a Stitch Tuesday.

 I worked these in pearl cotton 8, 5, cotton floss and cotton broder.....

...and added some bullion knots here and there...as I stitched, I kept thinking of how the oyster - a living organism - creates a gem - pearls- by way of irritation...and am reminded of  matthew 13:45-46
God's creation is so wonderful! and His salvation by grace through faith in Lord Jesus Christ...He is the Only Way, the truth and the life

Award! the first....

Wow! I received my very first blogging award today - from my stitching friend, latha, at mycreations  .  Her blog features lots of her beautifully cute creations - latha is superb at amigurumi! and other beautiful handiwork!  Latha's blog is a delight to follow  - so become a follower!~

Thank you latha for my award :D

Take a Stitch Tuesday 29

Hooray! got the early jump on the lovely Basque Stitch for this week, and am so excited I actually stitched...a peacock!  I am progressing :)  This stitch seemed hard, but after practicing, I really liked working it.  This is part of  Take a stitch Tuesday; you can find all the details, and even how to do the stitches, here at Sharon's' pintangle

come and join along!  newbies are welcome! (like me - I was certainly welcomed!!)

turquoise dmc floss, overdyed pearl cotton, therainbowgirl

Stirred.., not shaken

continuing embroidery work 
                 ...some patchwork, some embroidery....

"...stir up the gift of God, which is in thee...For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 timothy 1:6-7

"...that ye be not soon shaken in mind..." 2 thessalonians 2:2

"And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken remain." 
hebrews 12:27

continuing in Class

exploring colors with stitches and thread for the online class,
given by Karen Ruane - and was able to use some of the TAST stitches too :)

I am really learning a lot, and it is keeping me on my toes!

Palestrina..and catching up!

Palestrina knot for TAST week 26

The Palestrina knot took me many tries to figure out...but once I kept at it, it is a favorite now. In these soft pearl cottons, it looks like frosting (doesn't really convey the frosting look in the photos...)
I enjoyed it so much, I added it to another project I am working on:

the cherry color, and the gingerbread color look like frosting (to me).

And....I have been catching up with TAST!  here are my beginner workings of weeks 1 - 12 :

First Class

color work - first try

I have begun a wonderful class online - very excited ;
and it has begun with a bit of color exploration - this exercise has helped with discipline , as I easily get distracted with images, colors, etc.

what is bursting from my heart, is how thankful I am to see color - that is first and foremost.....and that there even is color!

And, of course, the color is in the Light - not in the image, or even in the flower or tree - it is in the Light...how it is refracted, absorbed, reflected, etc. -

which is why rainbows are so extraordinary, and fun.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, 
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light 
of the knowledge 
of the glory 
of God 
in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 corinthians 4:6

next up TAST continues! I am catching up!

Take A Stitch

Cable Chain Stitch for TAST week 25

This is the first sampling of stitches I have attempted for the Take A Stitch Tuesday Challenge, found on sharon b's Pin Tangle blog.  This is for week 25,
Cable Chain Stitch.

three rows of cable chain stitch...

cable chain Bunny row .....

cable chain rows as "leaves" with bullion caterpillars....

I have some catching up to do- and am working at it!  But it is a lovely "adventure" to be participating in ......so many beautiful embroidery examples to look at, new blogs to explore, new friends to "meet".  You do NOT have to be a great embroiderer to come along...as evidenced by my meager samplings :D  Come along, if you please!

My Father Creates Poppies

Mauve Poppy in the garden

Oh Thank you Father!  For everything...great and small.  I pray even one, or even many! will come to know you, by the power of the Holy Spirit.....through me.  To know they NEED you...and the salvation you have provided by and through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Oh Righteous Father!  The world hath not known thee; but I know thee, and these have known that thou has sent me.    john 17:25


He lives! and He came to save sinners - have you talked to Him?

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. romans 10: 8-10

Shed Abroad

Shed Roof by misteraitch A shed roof behind Trefaldighetskyrkan (Trinity church), SE Sweden

This Shed is in Sweden - Shed Abroad.....

More importantly, shed abroad is the Love Of God
we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  

Romans Chapter 5 - the whole chapter is worth reading right now

photo credits:
misteraitch
beautiful photo used with permission via creative commons license

Sands of Time

Passage of Time I by Riebart

The words of a favorite song are "The sands of time are sinking...", and though we usually do not like to acknowledge it, time passes.  There - another moment gone - every single moment is new, every single day is new...and will never ever pass this way again.

That fact can be either something joyous, or something depressing.....

but - with the ending of Passover for this year, let us be reminded that God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt - and while  Israel was redeemed and saved, the Egyptians and Pharaoh were judged.  There is no salvation nor redemption without Judgment...there is no love without Righteous Justice.

We will stand before God one day - whether you believe it or not, you will stand before Him - and receive eternal judgment unless, covered by the Passover Lamb's blood - the sinless blood of Jesus Christ - who lived the sinless, blameless life AND took our place on the cross receiving the full punishment and judgment for our sins, in our place. Died, and was resurrected in the flesh for our salvation.

It is a gift from God - we cannot earn it, nor buy it - just receive it - receive His salvation, in Jesus Christ.

Gaze

Max is NOT afraid of Caspar by Dawn Huczek

It all depends on where one casts their gaze - I get distracted with politics, the world, the media.......then I remember to cast my eyes and gaze upon the One who matters - the One who is in control - the One who works mightily....and who Saves.  Lord Jesus Christ.  And He calls you too :)

and He will never cast you away.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
We love Him, because he first loved us. 1 john 4:18-19


Here is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 john 4:10


smile and rejoice in that :) do you know Him?

The Denying Bunch

photo by daveparker

they fuss...a lot...the atheists, and those who embrace evolution and darwinism...why so upset about the Bible? Genesis?  Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation? God's gift of Grace?  Hell?

if it wasn't true....why all the fuss?

oh!  they fuss because IT IS true...and they know it...they know it.
2 Peter 3:3-7
meow.

less fuss, more truth :)
http://creation.com/free-inquiryhttp://creation.com/free-inquiry
http://questionevolution.blogspot.com

photo credit: daveparker, Flickr

Name Calling

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. acts 4:12

For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
romans 10:13

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and will call upon the name of the LORD.  psalm 16:17

Call on His Name, and be saved

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:8-9

yes - I preach! -people are dead in their sins, and there is good news and life In Christ!  He gave me a voice, and only the living can praise His name and speak - the dead cannot :)

photo credits:
"Children in Egypt"
by Joanna Jablo