Sixth Day of Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… six Geese-a-Laying, representing the six days of creation. It was on the seventh day God rested.

I found another amazing artist! She lives across the pond. I love her series of Christmas Cards! Wouldn’t they look wonderful framed?!?

Artist: Yvonne Arber

God got it done in six days! He could have done it all in a blink, but I believe He did it this way for a reason. It is in my opinion/interpretation God gave us another example, on the seventh day, we all need to rest (this does NOT mean “Sunday” either!).

Too many of us don’t take/make the time to rest. We live life stressed out. Sometimes we cannot avoid the rush toward deadlines and time crunches put upon us. But to live like this constantly, our health – mental and physical – will suffer.

People have often mentioned how I have a lot of things going, creating different things, offering a variety of items at Lanetta’s Creations. I do this, not only to fulfill several passions to create for the women in our lives of all ages, but because of my hands. Sometimes I can do things; sometimes I can’t. It is then I move on to something else. I’m grateful I have an array of interests!

I know I’m not the only person dealing with physical issues when getting things done. I’m simply stating how I handle mine!

Remember, it’s important to rest!

Fifth Day of Christmas

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Golden Rings! Did you sing this, even if only in your head? Five golden rings symbolize the first five books of the Old Testament.

I discovered something very interesting when preparing this article!

The first seven “gifts” are birds, and the last five are people engaged in various activities. None of them is jewelry. The “golden rings” in the song are golden ring-necked pheasants.

Source:  10,000 Birds

Photo Credit: Benelli USA

I never knew the “golden rings” referred to a pheasant! I’d always thought it meant jewelry! Nope!

This just reinforces the fact we’re never too old to learn!

I enjoy learning new techniques and skills, then apply what I’ve learned to Lanetta’s Creations.

For quite a while now, I’ve heard about Sew Beautiful magazine, but never was at the store at the right time to pick one up. When my sister & I went out shopping on Christmas Eve, we were standing in the checkout line and I mentioned the magazine to her. Well I’ll be, she turned around, pointed, and asked, “Is this it?”

She got it for me and I found it in my stocking the next day! Aren’t sisters grand!?!

I’ve gone to their website, many times. But, there is nothing like sitting in a comfortable chair, reading a quality magazine! I will read, and re-read this one again and again. Thank you, Sister!

Until the end of the year, all aprons at Lanetta’sCreations are on sale! Use coupon code 121212 at checkout to receive 50% off! All other items have free shipping (no coupon code necessary) until the end of the year!

I recently sold my last Valentine’s Day themed apron! Don’t fret! I’ll create more very soon! I have a new design ~ very figure flattering ~ I’m mulling over in my head. It will be a full apron, this I know for sure.

Fourth Day of Christmas

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four colly birds (yep! that’s the English word used in the original Twelve Days of Christmas song, not “calling” birds)! The four colly birds (blackbirds) symbolize our four Evangelists/Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Photo Credit: Shuttered Dreams

When Lanetta’s Creations began, I created a few beadwork items. A few remain available in my ArtFire Studio:

Bookmarks

Christian Beads for Prayer

Eyeglasses Leashes

Zipper Charms

I don’t plan on working with beads anymore unless it’s a special request/order for a specific item, color, or theme. (Free shipping until the end of the year on all beadwork! No coupon code needed!!!)

It’s been over two weeks since I’ve created something new for Lanetta’s Creations! I’m starting to get the shakes! Will do something today! Maybe I’ll cut out the special doll dress I’ve been planning…

NOTE:  Until the end of the year, all aprons at Lanetta’s Creations are on sale! Use coupon code 121212 at checkout to receive 50% off! All other items have free shipping (no coupon code necessary) until the end of the year!

Third Day of Christmas

To symbolize the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, the writer of the Twelve Days of Christmas used Three French Hens. I went in search across the Internet for the perfect depiction of three French Hens to share. Not only did I find this amazing watercolor by Vernita Hoyt, but also discovered she too is a Native Texan! How sweet is this!

Source: Texas Sauce Art Life, a blog by Vernita Bridges Hoyt

I encourage everyone to make the time, browse through her work! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Faith, Hope, Love – what wonderful qualities to strive for in every day living.

Sometimes it’s hard to have faith in things unseen, to keep hope alive, and to love with a whole heart. However, it’s doable! Take one breath at a time, one step in front of the other. Give someone a hug; allow someone to hug you. I’m sending you one now!

Second Day of Christmas

Not until this morning had I ever taken the time to look up Turtle Doves! I found this fabulous picture of two together! They are beautiful! After a brief read over, it doesn’t appear they are common in the United States, rather folks will readily see them in the UK and Europe.

Source: Arkive.org

I then tried to find out why the creators of the song 12 Days of Christmas selected Two Turtle Doves to represent the Old and New Testaments. I haven’t had any luck finding that bit of information. In fact, I haven’t found why they used any particular symbol! Maybe you know and will share!

Anyhoo…

My niece recently wrote the article “Open Me” for her blog. I highly recommend reading her account of an awesome random act of kindness.

I know other people have written or shared similar encouragements of doing 26 random acts of kindnesses in honor of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary. I’ve started mine, in the name of each victim.

(Source: Huffington Post)

- Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female
- Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male
- Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female.
- Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female
- Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female
- Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female
- Dylan Hockley, 3/8/06, male
- Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female
- Madeleine F. Hsu, 7/10/06, female
- Catherine V. Hubbard, 6/08/06, female
- Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male
- Jesse Lewis, 6/30/06, male
- James Mattioli , 3/22/06, male
- Grace McDonnell, 12/04/05, female
- Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female
- Emilie Parker, 5/12/06, female
- Jack Pinto, 5/06/06, male
- Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male
- Caroline Previdi, 9/07/06, female
- Jessica Rekos, 5/10/06, female
- Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female
- Lauren Rousseau, 6/1982, female
- Mary Sherlach, 2/11/56, female
- Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female
- Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male
- Allison N. Wyatt, 7/03/06, female

Did you know there is a Random Acts of Kindness organization? They have 273 kindness ideas! They also have wonderful quotes to inspire kindness. This is one in particular caught my eye:

Carry out a random act of kindness,

with no expectation of reward,

safe in the knowledge that

one day someone might do the same for you.

Diana Spencer (1961-1997)
Princess Of Wales

First Day of Christmas

As the song goes, “On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a Partridge in a Pear Tree” of course, represents Jesus Christ! Amen!

Some begin counting the “12 days” at sundown, Christmas Day. Others (like me) begin with the first sunrise after His celebrated birth. Either way, sundown to sundown = today is the first sunrise on the twelve days of Christmas! It’s all symbolic anyway, right?

With this said, I begin this celebration with a humbled heart of gratitude. I cannot express how grateful I am to be a Christian!

I’m grateful for my family and friends. Many friends I know personally, and others I’ve met through Facebook and other social networks. Maybe someday we can meet in person!

I am blessed.

Today is a great day to begin by saying – throughout it all, it is my continuing hope to inspire, encourage, and create ideas and items of interest to those of you stopping by Lanetta’s Creations.

Business wise, let me throw this out there… all my aprons are on half price (yes, 50% off!) until the end of the year! Head over to my ArtFire studio and use coupon code 121212 at checkout! This is a great time/deal for upcoming birthday gifts!

Merry First Day of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It’s Christmas time in the city! About 5:30 this morning, I went outside with Beth. I looked around to see which houses had lights on and those that remain dark. Indeed, those with children had them on already! I remember well getting Mother & Daddy and my sister up extremely early on Christmas morning!

I still have that little kid excitement for Christmas morning. But, I’m alone, except for Beth. Everyone else – still asleep… even next door… the house I grew up in. And, that’s okay. I’m thankful Mother & Daddy are still sleeping, getting their rest. I’m blessed that I’ll see them in about an hour, our usual “coffee time” whenever we’re in Dallas. It’s then I’ll give them a hug and a kiss, and we’ll begin our day of celebration.

I am grateful I have this opportunity. I treasure each Christmas morning I’m able to add to my memory bank of cherished moments. I know it won’t last forever.

But, until forever changes, I’m where I need/want to be.

My wish for you - be where you want to be on Christmas morning!

Make a Pillowcase

I’m not re-inventing the wheel, simply sharing how I make a pillowcase. An abundance of tutorials already span across the Internet, I’m just adding my two cents. As I made a couple yesterday (one for a girl, the other for a boy), I took pictures here and there to help with the instructions that we used during this past summer’s Sewing Camp 101.

So Sew Etc

Sewing Camp 101

June 18, 2012 – June 22, 2012

Pillowcase Instructions

Roll Up Method

For a standard size:

7/8 yard large section (cut 27” x width of fabric)

1/3 yard wide band/border (cut 9” x width of fabric)

1/4 yard accent (optional) (cut 4” x width of fabric)

(for a larger pillow, measure the length of the actual pillow and add 2” to the measurement – the band & accent will remain the same)

How to create the pillowcase:

1. Fold band (wrong sides together) in half (long way) and press (Make sure both edges are placed evenly together)
2. Fold accent strips (wrong sides together) in half (long way) and press (Make sure both edges placed are evenly together)

3. Keep accent folded, pin to right side of large section across top. (Make sure all edges are placed evenly together) (Is the brown strip on the boy's pillowcase as I used lace on the girl's)
4. Move step #3 out of the way for a minute. Unfold band and place single thickness with right side up on top of table surface. Place step #3 on top of accent/large section (it doesn’t matter which is “up” wrong or right side). Work from left to right (make sure left side edges are all together) and remove the original pins one by one and re-pin everything together. (Make sure all edges are placed evenly together)

(Don't worry right now about how the pieces line up on the right end:)

______________________________________________________________________

Fold/roll large section up and up and up, then pull the free side of band up and over the roll.

Be careful not to catch the "large" piece in pinning or sewing!

5. Now you’ll have the right sides together of the band, with everything else rolled up inside! Starting at the left side, pin through all thicknesses. (Make sure all edges are placed evenly together)
6. Sew across using a 1/4” seam allowance (back-tack at start only). Remember: pull out pins before sewing over them!
7. Press seam to meld stitches.
8. This is the fun part! Pull out the fabric from inside the “tube”!

It's coming! 

Fold bottom up to the top edge and trim off, making all layers even

 

9. If you want to sew decorative stitches across the band, now is the time! It's much easier now when flat, before you go on to step #10. I realized this in the nick of time!
10. With wrong sides together, match up the band, accent edge, and pin along the side and bottom. (Make sure all edges are placed evenly together)

First step in creating a "French Seam"

11. Starting at top of band, sew 1/4” seam allowance, stitch down side, pivot, sew across bottom. Remember: pull out pins before sewing over them!
12. Carefully trim corner.
13. Press seam to meld stitches

"French Seam"

14. Turn outside in and now right sides are together. Press out the folds made from stitching. Pin occasionally the same places as before, and stitch but now use a 1/2” seam allowance down side and across bottom. DO NOT TRIM THE CORNERS!!!
15. Press seam to meld stitches.
16. Turn right side out, use knitting needle to gently push out corners. You now have a lovely totally finished pillowcase (without any raw edges showing inside)!

I based these instructions on this video:

Hope you create a pillowcase!

Sisters of the World

It’s been a while since I’ve shared an amazing website or blog discovered or, in this case, a Facebook page. I’ll try to do better once January arrives!

The universe is amazing when you trust her to bring for you what you need most at the time and allow her to take away what no longer serves you, then you are in the perfect place in the perfect time. Melanie Wadham

If you’re on Facebook, I highly recommend following Melanie’s page: Woman2Woman. Within her “about” section, she quotes Pam Brown:

No woman is without sisters, however desperate, however lacking in kin. For all the women of the world are bound together as a family, by common experience and concern.

You will find uplifting quotes sprinkled all over her page. A recent one she shared resonates with me: “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

And, she posted this from Lewis Carroll:

“There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.”

“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

I discovered this video when reading through her page:

For a variety of reasons, getting through December is hard on some of us. It’s this time we need to fall back on our sisters. So, sisters of the world, let us join hands and give a little love…

Soon it will be Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas everyone!

When things go wrong

Yesterday - within the Facebook’s Sewist Group - we had a discussion about when everything seems to go wrong while sewing. 

Sometimes, enough is enough ripping out stitches!

Sometimes it’s better to just walk away for a while, and then come back to the project.

Many times, I/we keep on and on until total frustration sets in and our mood sours beyond repair for the remaining day/evening!

What can we do during this time when we’re working on a deadline, and can’t afford the time away from the project?

What can we do to change the mindset? Find the happy sewing place again?

What will lift our inner altitude and get things back on track?

Here are several suggestions the group came up with, plus some of my own:

• Wash face and put on makeup, including lipstick!
• Spritz on a favorite perfume
• Spray air freshener around the sewing area
• Light a candle
• Go for a brisk walk – get fresh air & the blood pumping through the brain (and fingertips) again
• Change up background noise … television/radio/silence
• Pray continuously

What would you add to the list for others to try when they’re having a bad day/go of sewing?

Thanksgiving Day - 2012

The Lord fills my heart with all the wonderful blessings around me.

Thank you, family and friends, and all those I hope to meet someday, I am blessed you are in my life.

I pray each and everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

English Peas & Thanksgiving

Where has this year gone? It’s difficult to wrap my head around the fact that this time next week it will be Thanksgiving. My goodness! I need to get my recipes together and a grocery shopping list prepared!

Throughout all the years, I’ve missed sharing only one Thanksgiving Dinner with my parents. I remember that year as if it was yesterday. Although I then lived in Shreveport, work took me to Hot Springs, Arkansas for six weeks training – landing Thanksgiving near the end of the sprint. I just couldn’t make it down to Dallas.

It was an odd feeling that day, eating alone at a restaurant. Since Daddy became a diabetic, I’ve learned more about nutrition and the balance of foods in the diet. Because of the lack of side dishes offered, it was the Thanksgiving I learned to eat English Peas.

2011 Thanksgiving

That Thanksgiving many years ago instilled in me the importance of celebrating the holiday with family, specifically with my parents. When I can spend any day with them, is a celebration within itself. My heart/mind knows I don’t have many left.

For me, Thanksgiving is an extra special time (Christmas is as well, but I’m trying to stay focused here, on point).

Last year, I told Momma I really wanted to prepare “next year’s Thanksgiving” meal for everyone. I rarely entertain anymore. I can’t remember the last time Bud & I had guests over (that’s another story and I’m not going off topic).  

She forgot…

I reminded her.

I’m looking forward to grocery shopping this Sunday afternoon, then Monday when I start baking pies!

Maybe I ought to add English Peas to the menu…

 How will you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Donations for New Jersey - Mail Monday!

This is where I'm sending my (first round of) donations on Monday (11/5/2012):

Lacey United Methodist Church
Attn: Pastor Linda Applegate
203 West Lacey
Forked River, NJ 08731-3509

Lacey UMC’s facebook page: http://facebook.com/laceyunitedmethodistchurch

Keeping checking their Facebook page for their wish list of needed items! 

After searching the Internet for a contact somewhere along the hit-hardest Northeast coast line after Hurricane Sandy, this is the article I found that caught my eye and caused me to call:

“United Methodist Church Remains Open as a Shelter” 

I spoke with an Elaine, a church member and volunteer that runs the church’s Thrift Shop. When I told her I was calling from Texas and wanted to know how we could help, she was so excited!

She also shared there are several other shelters in the area and Lacey UMC will be happy to coordinate the items we send with them so everyone gets what they need.

In addition to warm clothes, she said they really need toiletries such as the small size shampoos, toothpaste/brush, and deodorant. They also have volunteer crews that are going out and helping people clean up their homes (if they have homes). Therefore, they also need cleaning supplies. Elaine mentioned specifically needing duct tape and rubber gloves.

I’m certain they will be thrilled to receive anything you can manage to get to them as soon as possible!

As of about 4:15 today this is what their Facebook page shows they are still hoping for:

• - paper towels - rubber gloves, work gloves
• - sponges - contractor grade garbage bags
• - bottled water - blankets
• - pillows - socks
• - diapers - baby wipes
• - disposable face masks - plastic storage totes

Please share this with everyone you know! The folks need help NOW!

Hope to see you at the Post Office Monday!

Happy Halloween!

There were going to be others, but this year I managed only one Halloween costume for the 18 inch dolls like American Girl, Springfield, Our Generation, etc. A year or so ago I stumbled upon the cutest toddler’s costume and pinned it immediately. I didn’t know at the time how – just knew someday it would happen. And, it did! Now, somewhere in Texas, the chicken is on an AG doll, ready to trick or treat!

What a fun fun challenge!

During the interim, I happened across the tutorial: MakingAmerican Girl Doll Tights from a knee sock and, of course, pinned the link under Clever Ideas for safe keeping until needed.

Sofia (Springfield) was a good sport throughout the process!

I followed the directions to make the tights from a sock I had, and cut out the “feet” from felt. I then put the sock/tights on Sofia and hand stitched the feet on top of the sock.

The “base” is from the smallest onesie I could find/buy

then adjusted to fit Sofia.

I used a second onesie to form the hood.

Once the 2nd was pinned down to the first,
I hand stitched, then trimmed away excess.

I then attached the beak and red comb (or crest) on top of the hood.

With needle and thread, I quickly realized the boa used for the toddler was MUCH too big for Sofia. To make this work, I had to come up with Plan B.

I took plastic wrap and totally covered Sofia, securing well, then put her onesie back on.

Yep, pulling out individual feathers from the boa, and using good ole fashion Elmer’s Glue worked great. Tedious, but great. As a result of this plucking, the boa also became thinner. Then it was perfect size to wrap around here and there and across the shoulders and over the chest and back up to the snaps between her legs – hand stitching along the way to secure.

I let the costume (glue) dry thoroughly for several days before removing, to remove the plastic wrap and put the tights back on, then the feathered onesie.

She’s ready!

At the last arts/craft show, I had her standing at the table facing the aisle … so wish I had a candid camera going to share now! The expression on people’s faces (especially the little ones that were at eye-to-eye level) when they realized what they were looking at was absolutely priceless!

I’m thrilled the woman who bought the Chicken Costume was as excited to get it as I was to create it!

Another First - A Fun Challenge

Last week, my sister asked if I could create an 18 inch doll cheerleader uniform to match her niece’s uniform – with a due date of October 26^th (her birthday!). Without hesitation, I answered, “Yes!” However, I had to ask for a couple of things. Because of matching school colors, I wanted the fabric provided. I also needed several pictures showing different views of the little girl’s uniform for a “go-by”.

Over the weekend, while in Dallas doing an arts/craft show, I received the “washed and dried” fabric (THANK YOU!). Then, over the course of the next few days and requests for specific views needed, I received enough pictures via email to get a good idea of what needed to go where. And, the challenge began!

Light source is not good... coming from computer's monitor!

Needed to see side seam - light source coming from behind camera - MUCH better view!

In case you didn’t know, an 18 inch doll’s body, and where it bends and where it doesn’t, is a bit different than a real person’s body. Therefore, rather than a pull over, the top had to have an opening along the back. No problem. Done.

NOTE: Sewists know stretchy fabric (which this was a lightweight knit rather than quilt type cotton), stretches out of whack VERY easily! One must take extra care when dealing with knits!

Waiting to hem shorts whenever skirt is done!

The original uniform had webbed trim zig-zagged together to make the “stripe” – which is much too wide for an 18” doll. Therefore, I had to create the stripe using the knit fabric. That was fun!

After spending hours trying to work it out proportionally, I realized the original skirt’s stripe detail was too big for the doll’s skirt (even though the stripe was much smaller on the doll uniform). There was simply not enough skirt fabric, or “time” for it to come around and make the V. The doll’s skirt stripe is now simply around the hemline.

While meeting this challenge, trying to get it perfect, Mother kept reminding me when she made my oldest niece’s uniform to “match” my High School drill team’s uniform. Two year old Leasa was our mascot my senior year. It didn’t “match” exactly, but it coordinated nicely.

The letter “H” – oh so tiny! I tried different ways to get it cut out from the fabric provided, but it kept tearing apart due to the thinness along the sides. My sister sent me a commercial letter H but it was too big! I finally decided to simply cut it out of one-side sticky thin foam! Seems to work okay… will be a gently hand wash item!

Sending out in the mail on Monday and it should arrive in time for her birthday on the 26th! Love it when a plan comes together!

P.S. This was a fun challenge!

P.S.S. I absolutely LOVE the back drop Mother created for me and my doll pictures!!!