Keep Calm & Put Your Charlie Brown Boots On!

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Keep Calm & Put Your Charlie Brown Boots On

Here’s another one that I hope will make you smile. It makes me happy just looking at it. I love the bright colors. I was able to find the perfect scrap of yellow fabric to go with the image of Charlie Brown (which my sweet hubby created for me).

The small size (about 2.5 X 3.5) was really fun to work with. I wanted to do a “quick” project & this was truly a satisfying one. I know I’ll be making more.

So many of us, like Charlie Brown, face trials & we don’t always have the sympathy or understanding of those around us. There are times when it all seems uphill. Just when we’re in the thick of things, the rain is coming down hard & there are clouds overhead, is when we have to remind ourselves to Keep Calm & Put Our Charlie Brown Boots on. This item has been sold on Ebay, but another one can be custom-made for you! Just drop me a line.

I Shall Come Forth as PURE Gold!

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Blessings & Benefits #1

I Shall Come Forth as Pure Gold

I had so much fun creating this piece. I am so pleased with how it all came together. It took a LOT for this to become what you now see. This piece is part of my new series Blessings & Benefits, inspired by one of my many favorite Psalms- 103. This piece is Number 1 & it’s called “I Shall Come Forth as Pure Gold.” I had been planning this out in my head for quite some time. The only problem was everything here in our house was just too hectic for me to begin. My little ones & I went to my mom’s house last Monday & EVERYONE got some nasty bug two days later. Despite our efforts to isolate & quarantine, everyone got sick, one child right after the other. It was just a trying, exhausting week full of vigilance & prayer. So, between dealing with stubborn fevers & icky symptoms, there was no time to do anything but nurse my babies back to health.

Thank God HE delivered wholeness to their little bodies. Now, we’re all dealing with allergy symptoms. One of the joys of living in Georgia. Oh well, it’s uncomfortable but it beats having the flu or whatever it is that they had.

So, after God broke everyone’s fever (hallelujah), I was able to work on this piece & try to actualize the picture that was in my head. This piece was inspired by Job 23:10, which is also a line in one of my favorite gospel songs: Please Be Patient With Me!

This life really does bring a great deal of trials & whirlwinds, but when we walk through with the Lord, we end up better & stronger like gold & just like Job!

The OOAK “I Shall Come Forth as Pure Gold” was created with recycled materials, paint, vintage sheet music, beads, sequins, and threads. The focal piece is fabric & comes from the Alexander Henry collection. It’s listed on Ebay now http://tinyurl.com/royallady.

Confidence to go to the Next Level!

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My kids amaze me constantly. When doing his math work, my son Jonah prefers to think of himself going to the “next level,” rather than going to the next problem (the way I thought when I was little). I just love that kind of thinking. It inspires me & makes you rethink life’s trials. After he completes a “problem,” he even says out loud (even though it annoys his sisters) with so much excitement, “I’m going to level 5 now.” Nothing but optimism. So simple, yet profound I think.

God allows trials to come into our lives to see if we know what we should know by now. Just like any good teacher, He wants to assess your level of comprehension. How much faith do you have in Him? Can you see all the possibilities in the task ahead? Are you worthy of proceeding to the next level? Are you confident that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you? Each “problem” is just a little test, a confidence-builder. Each trial prepares you to reach higher & move on to the next level, believing that whatever it is, you’ll be able to master it~especially with the Master at your side.

I Don’t Care if You’re Mad~Kiss Me

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Just Kiss Me!

If you’ve ever had a little spat with that special someone in your life & the make-up part just doesn’t come quickly enough, you totally understand the inspiration behind this pillow. The embroidery & vintage fabric give the pillow a “country” feel, while the words are just so “now.” While it’s so important to let my voice be heard, I really like to make-up as soon as possible, because time is just too precious to languish in contention, especially with someone you love.

Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9

This OOAK pillow can serve as a reminder to those in your house to stop the quarrel, mend the fences & get back to the lovey dovey. You’ll find it in my etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenandGrace

Deliciously Pink Glamour Pinup Boudoir Pillow

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Delicious Pink Boudoir Pillow

When I saw the center panel on a pair of thrift store jeans, I knew I wanted to create something special. At first I wasn’t sure if this beauty would end up on a quilt or a pillow. Believe me when I tell you that as excited as I was about creating with this piece, this pair of jeans sat in my storage room for at least a year. Well, one day while organizing reorganizing my fabric room for the umpteenth time, it all just clicked. I found the pink hem facing & vintage upholstery fabric that frames this pillow & the vintage dotted fabric I used for the back & instantly knew it would work beautifully with the denim fabric. It was a joy putting this pillow together, adding vintage lace trim that I’d been holding on to FOREVER (I believe I confiscated it from my mother’s sewing room- shhh!), sewing on beads & sequins. Then adding the piece de resistance: the fabric flowers, ribbons & creamy tulle (anchored on a button)- creating a sweet bouquet. This pillow is really the perfect item for any cottage, retreat or place of solace. Especially if you love delicious PINK! This sweetie is now available in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenandGrace

Such a Sweet Prim Face!

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I love you prim much

I really enjoyed creating her. I love roses & when I found all this beautiful vintage rose fabric, I knew immediately just how much fun I’d have creating. She is truly OOAK.  Accented with embroidery, beads, faux pearls, ribbon & lace, this little folk art doll/pillow is just the perfect romantic primitive touch to add to any room. In addition to smelling sweet like cinnamon & vanilla, she really does make you smile just looking at her. She’s listed in my etsy shop. Just look at that little face. Stop by & make her your very own. http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenandGrace

Turning Scrap Fabric into Art

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Fun Fabric Brooches

When it comes to creating, nothing is quite like taking “trash” or scraps of fabric and turning them into a treasure. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a passion for fabric. Fabric & I have had a love affair since I was a little girl walking through the fabric warehouse with my mom searching for just the right bolt.  It was a treat to get the leftover pieces from my mother’s many sewing projects. So, it’s no surprise that I still enjoy taking the smallest pieces of fabric & turning them into something desired.

In an effort to use every little bit of fabric & not let it go into the landfill, I’ve created these little sparkly textile brooches. They’re whimsical & vibrant.

I had fun making them & they are the perfect accessory to personalize any outfit. They’re listed on Ebay now.

FREE Boxes Will Save You Money!

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My FREE Boxes

Whether you’re moving or shipping items for your online business or eBay auctions, you need boxes. Sure you can buy boxes, but they are quite expensive, especially when you need a large quantity.

For years, my husband & I have always gone to places where you can get free boxes. If you’ve never thought about it before you should. You really won’t even have to go out of your way to get them either. Free boxes can be found in the places you already drive. I’m sure there are many other places that I’m not even mentioning here.

I know certain people find free boxes on Craigslist. Now, with this option, you really have to be extra cautious. The risk might exceed the reward. If you’re like me, places like your local grocery store or dollar store can be your best option. After the workers restock the shelves, they’re only going to throw the boxes away & they don’t mind if you take the boxes off their hands. You’ll be saving these boxes from a sure demise & eternal resting place in a nearby landfill.

Just the other day I was shopping in my local dollar store & was able to pick up about 16 small boxes. The boxes were just sitting in a larger box on the floor near the cash register. These boxes are just perfect for my ebay shipments- great for vases, bracelets, picture frames, mugs, items too bulky for envelopes & any other items that have sold. I used one of my FREE boxes to ship the vintage wine bottle that sold a week ago. These are savings that I definitely pass on to my customers.

So when you go grocery shopping again, why not pick up some FREE boxes for your storage or shipping supplies? Let’s think outside the box about our box needs!

Let God’s Love Cancel Your Uncertainty

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   Sometimes the challenges we face in life can overwhelm us. There doesn’t seem to be enough time in each day, support or adequate resources to bring about desired change. We often feel like we’re just spinning our wheels and not getting there quickly enough. We know that we are meant to do something, called to fulfill a purpose. However, distractions abound to take us off the chosen path, forcing us to lose precious time. Bogged down by worthless pursuits, we often don’t realize just how much time & energy we’ve exerted until we’re waaay off course. Ever look around and wonder, what happened? Ever feel as though it’ll take a miracle to untangle this mess?

   When focus & direction seem out of reach, just remember that God loves you. He never sets you up for failure. If He leads you to do something or puts a divine purpose in your heart, He will give you every tool, everything you need to be successful. Everyday, His favor is yours. Ask for & expect it.
   In our weakness, his strength is made whole & perfect. Success belongs to those who trust in & wait for the Lord! Spending time talking with God daily and reading His word can push that uncertainty away & give you the focus you need to accomplish any task. Make your heart’s desire known to the Lord. Pray that your desires line up with the perfect will that He has for your life. No matter how tired you are or how dark it may seem, God’s light will shine forth & lead the way.