Leaving hibernation

The most recent season of my life has been really hard.

Major emotional ups and downs. 

There has been a lot of heaviness at work and in my personal life.

Not to mention, Winter is just plain gloomy - cold and windy.

We didn't even get one great snow day... 

My Winter was spent bundled up, doing puzzles and going to sleep early. 

I've just had no energy or motivation.  

Well it was time to snap out of it.

I had to embrace the fact that I am not in control of everything. 

There are many places in my life where fear can take over. 

I learned that fear can either lead to anxiety or it can be embraced.

When the Spirit moves through that place of fear, faith is a gift that is received.

Faith increases when you step out in fear. 

It was time to create.

I always feel the most life when I participate in the creation of things. 

I hadn't done anything crafty in such a long time. 

So I decided to do some crocheting and embroidering. 

My first crocheted baby blanket!

Crocheted cowl scarf

There was also a quilt that I had not finished. I have been working on it for years.

I decided to tackle that project too. 

However, I had no desire to quilt. 

So I finished the top and decided to make a duvet cover, eliminating the need to quilt it. 

A few snaps later and viola!

I have also really loved hanging out with the special little ones in my life. 

Our godson Mihretu is so much fun to be with.

I went to his house to help make Valentine's Day cards. 

Aren't they cute?

We had one weekend of nice weather so we took our nephew to Shelby Park.

On an almost warm day we took another hike through the park. 

I am so looking forward to walks when it warms up.

And now it is time to begin the garden. 

Oh Spring...less than two weeks away and Daylight Savings starts on Sunday. 

That means more sunlight and warmer weather on the horizon. 

Feeling like I am turning a corner away from the Winter gloom. 

Can not wait!

I am a Hobbyist

I recently discovered that I don't know how to not do. 

I enjoy making things.

I love the feeling I get when I finish a project.

I am always trying new crafty ideas.

Could this be one meaning of being made in the image of a Creator? 

Hobby: a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.

Some current hobbies:
1. Gardening (or rather learning how to garden)
2. Quilting
3. Scrap booking
4. Card making
5. Crocheting
6. Cooking
7. Embroidering
8. Jewelry making
9. Pen and inking
10. Painting

My 'craft' room is always a mess.

Jo Ann's and Hobby Lobby gift cards are always a winner.

I like the challenge when people ask me, can you fix this? or can you make this?

Many people have said that I am very crafty, but I think I just enjoy following instructions and problem solving. If there is such a thing as a left-brained creative, that is me.

 I don't really know what I am doing half the time but if I can make it systematic I love it. 

Quilts involve math, charts and precise measurements.

All of my drawings are full of lines and details.

Gardening has been an experiment in scheduling and charting. 

So to all the list making, control loving, organized, type A, administrative people out there, you can craft too!

Take a Saturday and conquer one of your Pinterest pins.

 If you mess up, try it again. If you hated it, try a different craft. 

And then take Sunday and learn to rest and not do. 

I would say I am working on it, but then that wouldn't be resting, right? ;) 

Christmas Creations

I have really struggled to make some diy posts after writing about Africa but I have accepted that I am where I am for this season. And I will continue to write about what brings me joy while I am in this stage of my life. 

Naturally my posts will shift as I become pregnant, possibly move overseas, enter into new seasons, but until then I will share yummy recipes and diy crafts.

So with that said, here are some gifts Michael and I created for Christmas:

1. A laptop case for Timothy, made out of a cool plaid skirt, some grey felt, and quilt batting.

I even added a pocket in the front for the charger. I really liked how it turned out!

2. Michael made a box for Evan's art supplies.

It has a little drawer in the top for brushes. 

Here they are at Christmas, Evan with his box and Michael with his sweet wine rack that Evan made. I love handy/crafty/creative men! (Oh and their new pj pants) 

3. I made a pen and ink piece of art for Sami and Jonathan. Michael created this beautiful frame.

The verse in the middle says:

"By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding

it is established;

through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures"

-Proverbs 24:3-4

I love lots of details and lines! I am really happy with it. 

4. I made a quilted picture book for my nephew Liam. 

The cover says "Who loves Liam?" and then I added 8 pages that say "Mommy loves Liam", "Aunt Merrill loves Liam", "Abi loves Liam", etc. 

I was going to create a diy blog with instructions on how to make it, but I decided there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Here is Susan Weinroth's blog. She has great instructions. Her blog is actually the blog I stumbled across that led me to start quilting 2 years ago. 

What new crafty creations have you made recently?